Meaning of Missa in Music
In music, the term "Missa" refers to a composition that sets several sung parts of the liturgical service to music. It is most commonly used to describe a musical setting of the Mass, which is the central liturgical service of the Roman Catholic Church. The Mass consists of two main parts: the Ordinary and the Propers. The Ordinary includes texts that remain the same in every Mass, such as the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. The Propers, on the other hand, are texts that vary depending on the specific day or occasion. A Missa typically sets some or all of the Ordinary parts to music.
The term "Missa" is derived from the Latin word "missa," which means "dismissal" or "sending forth." In the early days of the Mass, the people were dismissed with the words "Ite, missa est," which meant "Go, you are sent." This dismissal gave the liturgy its name, and the word "Missa" became associated with the Mass itself. The root of the word "missa" is "missio," which is the origin of the English word "mission." This reflects the idea that those assembled at the Mass are sent forth to bring the fruits of the Eucharist to the world.
It's worth noting that the term "Missa" can also be used more broadly to refer to other musical compositions that are based on the structure of the Mass or have a similar religious or liturgical character. For example, the term "Missa" is sometimes used to describe musical settings of the propers of the Requiem Mass.
Overall, "Missa" in music refers to a composition that sets parts of the liturgical service, particularly the Mass, to music. It is a term that has been used throughout history to describe various types of musical compositions with a religious or liturgical character
The Mass.
In addition, you can familiarize yourself with the terms:
- [English] Mass
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