Missa In C Major K.259

The Mass K.259, known as the Organ Solo Mass on account of an important organ passage in the Benedictus, will have been written around 1775/76. On l7th May 1778, the Prince-Archbishop Colloredo consecrated his cousin AntonTheodor Count Colloredo-Mels und Wallsee, Archbishop of Olmütz. The Prince of the Church had not commissioned a Mass for the consecration and had left the choice up to Leopold Mozart, who assumed the office as Kapellmeister inthat week. Leopold reported on this to his wife and son in Paris on 28th May 1778: ‘l did the one of Wolfg [sic]: Mass with the organ solo: but the kyrie from the Spaur Mass; had it written and duly got the 6ducats.