The Piccolomini Mass by W. A. Mozart (b.Salzburg1756; d.Vienna1791)is a missa brevis (brief mass) designed to meet the time constraints required by Prince-Archbishop Count Hieronymus vonColloredo (r.1771-1803)of Salzburg. This composition may have received its nickname from the Italian word, "piccolo" meaning "brief” or “short”, as a possible complement to the Missa Longa, K 262, composed during the same period. In the Piccolomini Mass Mozart continues to explore new styles and ideas. The Gloria and Credo are not expanded in any way, but are unique in their clarity and musical integrity. The Masses composed at this time were heard by large audiences at churches throughout the Habsburg Empire. As a result Mozart became very popular in Salzburg and Vienna for his sacred music. The Piccolomini Mass, as well asvarious other sacred music compositions by Mozart, survived with the help of the canons regular at the Heilig Kreuz (Holy Cross) Augustinian Congregation in Augsburg, Germany. In 1777 Mozart and his mother Anna Maria, while traveling to Mannheim and Paris, stopped at Leopold’s hometown of Augsburg to see relatives. While there Mozart visited Heilig Kreuz, where his father had sung in the choir, and he delighted the canons with his talent as an organist and composer. As a farewell gift, Mozart loaned the canons several of his manuscripts to copy for liturgical use. In succeeding years he loaned them additional works through his cousin, Maria Anne “Basle” (little cousin)Mozart and the canons eagerly copied and presented them. To this day treasured copies are in the archives of both the Heilig Kreuz church and the Diocese of Augsburg. The Piccolomini Mass is scored for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass soloists, SATB choir, violins, oboes, trumpets, trombonescolla parte, timpani, and basso continuo.Although classified as a missa brevis, the inclusion of trumpets in the scoring arguably makes the Mass a missa brevis et solemnis, or possibly even a … missa longa.