Missa Brevis

Missa Brevis is a mass of the Ordinary but a mass designed to be brief. In the 15th and 16th centuries the term Missa Brevis meant a complete setting of all five movements of the ordinary but each movement being significantly abbreviated. In the 17th and 18th centuries the term Missa Brevis came to mean principally a setting of the Kyrie and Gloria only. During this period it also included settings of just the Kyrie, the Sanctus, Beneditus and the Agnus Dei. The Gloria and the Credo were omitted. In the 20th century the term Missa Brevis was thought of as primarily a mass of the Ordinary but of modest proportions. 

During the time of Palestrina, circa 1525-1595, there was such a demand for shorter mass settings that it prompted a greater recognition of the Missa Brevis as a distinct type of mass. And in the interest of brevity even the texts were oftentimes shortened. So it is clear that the history of the Missa Brevis is a history of evolution and development. The development of the Missa Brevis is also a distinct history of being carefully succinct, compact and concise.

Missa Brevis is a function of the Roman Catholic liturgical service. It is also a standalone viable art form.

This Missa Brevis is scored for mixed chorus (s.a.t.b.) and string quartet.

Contents of Missa Brevis

Kyrie

Sanctus

Benedictus

Agnus Dei