Pergolesi wrote his Mass in D major for an unknown occasion. The composition however is similar in quality and commitment to his other Mass in F major. Numerous manuscript copies all over Europe testify to the fortunate reception of the work in the eighteenth century. As was traditional in Naples, Pergolesi limited his composition to the “Kyrie” and “Gloria”. The festive character of the work is emphasized by the rich scoring for vocal soloists, five-part choir and a full orchestra of strings an...