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Sampson (Sop): Summers (Alto): Tortise (Ten): Foster-williams (Bass): Ch Of The

Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle

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Release date: 28-08-2006
Format: CD
Number of Discs: 1
Catalogue Number: CDA67570
Label: hyperion

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Aug 2006

Rossini's not-so-little mass is performed in its glorious original clothing. "Dear God, here it is, finished, this poor little mass," wrote Rossini on the completion of his Petite Messe Solennelle. He was being just a little harsh on himself. At over 70 minutes long, this mass, written in 1863 by the ageing composer as his own memorial, is by no means 'little'. And it is anything but 'poor'.

Composed with consummate skill, it contains no less drama, colour and variety than the opera buffa with which he made his name as a younger man. What we get here is the original version for soloists and chorus – designed for performance in a Parisian town house rather than a church – accompanied by two pianos and a harmonium (Rossini orchestrated it a few years later). If this scoring gives the opening bars a surprising vaudeville quality, the passion, conviction and brilliance of writing that follows affirms that this is, in fact, religious music of the highest order and the King's Consort and Carolyn Sampson more than do it justice. - HMV Choice

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