A critical edition of 'Missa gratiarum in C' by Antonio Caldara (ca. 1671 - 1736)

<p>The Italian composer Antonio Caldara served as vice-chapel master to Charles VI in Vienna from 1716 until his death in 1736. Caldara was one of the most prolific composers of the eighteenth century, and much of his output consisted of mass ordinary settings composed for the Viennese imperial chapel. The <em>Missa gratiarum</em> was intended for a court celebration of the highest rank and is an exemplar of the solemn mass style of the era. Unfortunately the music of this and other masses by Caldara heretofore has been rather neglected and editions are not readily available.</p> <p>Beyond supplying the first critical edition of a <em>missa solemnis</em> by Antonio Caldara, this study explores the historical and cultural context of Caldara’s masses, beginning with an overview of Caldara’s life. Chapter two presents an analysis of the <em>Missa gratiarum</em> that highlights features of the music that suggest that this mass was intended for a high feast day. Chapter three introduces the <em>Reichstil</em>, an imperial architectural and musical style popular in Vienna during Caldara’s tenure, and discusses the cultural environment that fostered this musical style. Musical examples of this style are drawn from the <em>Missa gratiarum</em> and three other <em>missae solemnes</em> by Caldara. Chapter four explores the performance practice of the imperial chapel during Caldara’s tenure and documents the instrumentation and the size of the choir that would have performed the <em>Missa gratiarum</em>. The study concludes with an editorial policy, a call for further editions and performances, the edition itself, and the accompanying critical notes.</p>