Mass in D major, opus 86 music by Antonin Dvorák, 1841–1904

Commissioned by Josef Hlávka, a noted architect and founder of the Czech Academy of Sciences, for the 1887 consecration of the private chapel in his Luzany castle.

Dvorák had already set a number of liturgical texts on a grand scale, including the Stabat mater, when Hlávka requested a Mass for modest forces for the consecration of his family chapel.

Dvorák completed the Mass in June 1887 and at once wrote to Hlávka saying how delighted he was. He summed it up as a work of “faith, hope and love to Almighty God.” “Do not wonder that I am so religious,” he says, “but an artist who is not could not accomplish anything like this.”

He reminded Hlávka that “so far I have only written works of this kind on a big scale and for large forces.”

The consecration took place on September 11, 1887. The Mass was originally scored for four soloists, a small choir and a simple organ accompaniment. Dvorák conducted and the soloists were Hlávka’s wife Zdenka, the composer’s wife Anna, with Rudolf Huml and Otakar Schwenda. At the request of Novello and Co., Dvorák orchestrated the Mass and the orchestral version was first performed on March 11, 1893.