Mozart: Inter natos mulierum, K. 72 (74f)

Description

Mozart composed the offertory "Inter natos mulierum", K. 72 (74f) in the early summer of 1771. Characteristic of the work is the expressive quality of the choir which is rich in contrast and largely outshines the instruments. A motive of descending fifths that is explored at length by the orchestra then becomes a refrain-like link within the work. The text has been taken from the Gospel of Matthew 11,11 and the Gospel of John 1,29. The opening passage returns in the 4th antiphon in II. Vesperis de Nativitate S. Joannis Baptistae. The last movement acts as an absolution formula in the mass.