Mozart: Davide Penitente, K469 (oratorio)

In 1785 at the height of his career in Vienna, Mozart was commissioned by Viennese Society of Musicians to write a work for a Lenten benefit concert. Short of time, he recycled the Kyrie and Gloria from his earlier unfinished Mass in C Minor to form part of the oratorio Davidde penitente. Drawing upon the psalms of David, both penitential and joyful, this is a work of great beauty, notable for its memorable choruses, exquisite writing for the woodwind and, in particular, the two new solo arias, A te, fra tanti affanni (From you, amid such troubles) and Tra l’oscure ombre funeste (Amid the dark grievous shadows), both of which begin with a long expressive opening followed by a virtuoso second section.