W. A. Mozart’s Litaniae lauretanae Compositions and the Loreto Pilgrimage
Nils Holger Petersen
The Litaniae lauretanae (the Litany of Loreto), a Marian litany with medieval roots, has been set numerous times in polyphony, as well grand settings soloists and orchestra, to be performed all over Catholic Europe. Famous musicians who composed the Loreto include Orlando di Lasso, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Claudio Monteverdi, Heinrich Biber, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This article discusses Mozart’s two that were May 1771 1774. analysis parts light historical background pilgrimages litany’s ritual musical uses highlights some their remarkable features. It is argued settings, more than any other major contemporary ones, constitute reenactments experience.
Eventum A Journal of Medieval Arts & Rituals