A Tale of Three (or Four) Kyries

In the same way that I am completely incapable of multitasking, I seem to have a one-track mind when it comes to music.  If I can hear a song playing-- especially if I know it and like it-- and you ask me what the tune for a different song line is, I probably won't be able to hum the new tune while the old one is still playing.  My mind just can't get there.

Once I figured this out about myself, it felt maybe slightly embarrassing?  Like some kind of reverse party trick?  But no one actually cares and it doesn't matter.

Except it did make things a little trickier when my choir sang Bach's B Minor Mass, because there are TWO *Kyries in it (the first and third songs, actually!) and it took me months before I could hold both melodies in my head, or even switch back and forth between the two as needed.  It was one of those fun, humbling times when you realize you aren't as good at something as you like to pretend!  But I did finally get there, and it was kind of exhilarating, especially because they are BOTH so pretty!!!  I would try to decide which one I liked better and I never could!

Give them both a listen:

 

Aren't those great???  But just as I was finally mastering them both, I felt this overwhelming desire to revisit the Kyrie from Mozart's C Minor Mass (which had completely left my head in the years since singing it, but I remembered that I had really loved it).  When I finally remembered to actually listen to it, it was so gorgeous and dramatic it made me gasp.  I love Bach, but this Kyrie just kind of blows my mind.

Isn't that stunning? I feel like people talk about how Mozart is so mathematical (and he is!) but that doesn't mean his music isn't also emotional and powerful.

It kills me, it's so great.

But honestly, while I'm rambling on and on about the topic, I also really love the Kyrie from Rossinni's Petit Mass!  That percussive piano at the beginning is so unexpected and fun!

 

Isn't that also so great?  (Mozart is still my favorite.  But I truly love all of these.)

It honestly is mind-blowing that people can come up with such amazing music for the same Latin texts!!! 

*Just in case you're not up on this stuff, the musical components of a Catholic mass usually consist of 1) Kyrie, "Lord have mercy," 2) Gloria, "Glory to God in the Highest," 3) Credo, "I believe," 4) Sanctus, "Holy is the Lord," and 5) Agnus Dei "Lamb of God"