The White Hat Guide to the Parody Mass

A parody mass is a mass with movements substantially based un a pre-existing polyphonic piece such as a motet. The name 'parody' may be slightly misleading in the twenty-first century where the word usually implies 'to poke fun at'. Perhaps a more useful name might be 'tribute mass' even though the work being payed tribute to is often by the composer himself. However, the naming is well established and unlikely to change.

Some notable parody masses

Selected sheet music of parody masses

Some forthcoming performances in Australia of parody masses