"Sancta Maria, Mater Dei" Gradual in F

In addition to the *Ordinarium* of the Mass, Roman Catholic liturgy required a wide range of musical settings. While the Mass has a standardized text, the texts of smaller sacred works were selected based on the readings for each particular Sunday or feast day. Some of these texts were biblical or at least traditional sacred poetry, mostly in Latin, while others were newly created for specific occasions. With few exceptions, Mozart’s smaller sacred works were composed in Salzburg, though some were written during his travels. These works reflect different traditions and thus display a great deal of variety. Marian antiphons, for example, are hymns addressed to the Mother of God and are assigned to specific times of the liturgical year. In Salzburg, Marian antiphons were more likely performed in special devotions within the Liturgy of the Hours rather than in Vespers services.