Regnart – Missa Christ ist erstanden (Gloria in excelsis Deo)

Jacob Regnart’s (c.1540-1599) Missa “Christ ist erstanden” is a 16th-century, five-voice parody mass based on the German Easter hymn “Christ ist erstanden.” 

Key Details

• Composer: Jacob Regnart, a Flemish-born composer who worked for the Hapsburg court.
• Style: Renaissance polyphony (parody mass), combining dense counterpoint with melodic, often serene, sections like the Agnus Dei.
• Model: Based on the popular German Easter melody “Christ ist erstanden,” which permeates the mass.
• Context: The work reflects the Catholic Hapsburg preference for incorporating vernacular hymn tunes into sacred music.