Born in Salzburg, then in the Holy Roman Empire and currently in Austria, Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty. His father took him on a grand tour of Europe and then three trips to Italy. At 17, he was a musician at the Salzburg court but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position.
While visiting Vienna in 1781, Mozart was dismissed from his Salzburg position. He stayed in Vienna, where he achieved fame but little financial security. During his final years there, he composed many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas. His Requiem was largely unfinished by the time of his death at the age of 35, the circumstances of which are uncertain and much mythologized.
Sanctus
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dominus Deus Sabaoth!
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis!
The lyrics to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's song Sanctus are from the Latin Mass, specifically the Sanctus portion. The phrase "Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus" is translated to mean "Holy, holy, holy." As the song progresses, the phrase "Dominus Deus Sabaoth" is added, which means "Lord God of Hosts." The lyrics continue with "Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua," which translates to "Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory." Finally, the song ends with "Hosanna in excelsis!" which translates to "Hosanna in the highest!"
The Sanctus is typically sung during Mass as a call to worship and to acknowledge the holiness of the Lord. The song itself is both majestic and dramatic, with Mozart's orchestration emphasizing the grandeur of these holy words. The build-up of the lyrics in combination with the music create a powerful experience for listeners that seeks to uplift their spirits.
Line by Line Meaning
Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus
Holy, holy, holy
Dominus Deus Sabaoth!
Lord God of hosts!
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in excelsis!
Hosanna in the highest!
Contributed by Isaiah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Metadeth1997
People dont like Sussmayr,, but this is great ! He had talent and this shows it
@ugurderin
So this part (along with some other parts) were added by Sussmayr after Mozart's death, and not written by Mozart himself, right?
@htb_g
Ugur Derin Right
@musik350
i guess this part was still written after some simple sketches, but what you ultimately hear will be more süssmayr than mozart
@MusiExplora
@@musik350 no - there are no scripts of a Sanctus of Mozart Requiem
@MusiExplora
stylistically speaking Süßmayr's completition sounds more as Michael Haydn than Mozart - this doesn't mean that this is better or worse
@wolfgangamadeusmozart8190
Omg Sussmayr did a very great work! Pls write his name and not mine!
@sonicfan9588
You make a good point. Btw, you’re my favorite composer 😄😄😄
@Dailysia
Beautiful
@VexaS1n
The opening chorus greatly reminds me of Bach's own Sanctus from the B-minor mass. Most of Bach's work was unknown by the time of the Requiem composition so it may remain a coincidence (one that gives me a higher sense of appreciation for both geniuses). Mozart is clearly in the framework of this piece, but Sussmayr stands out as a sore thumb in his execution, particularly during the strangely harmonized "pleni sunt coeli" part. The Osanna fugue is pretty flawed too, but I found interesting elements in it after repeated listens. The leaping subject draws from Quam Olim Abrahae resulting in a more progressed texture coming from the Offertorium. Also, the countermelody sung by the tenors (1:09) and sopranos (1:17) is a reference to the Kyrie Eleison fugue.