Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg & Gustavo Gimeno - Rossini: Petite messe solennelle (2019) [24/96]

In Rossini’s Petite Messe solennelle (1863-1867), sacred tones blend seamlessly with allusions to his comic operas. “Is this sacred music which I have written or music of the devil?”, the composer tellingly asked himself in a personal letter. Rossini’s enigmatic but highly enjoyable mass demonstrates his rich musical palette, ranging from “archaic” remnants of Bach, Haydn and Mozart to harmonic audacities that point towards the music of Fauré and even Poulenc. Despite this stylistic range, the Petite Messe solennelle sounds unmistakably Rossinian, and continues to enchant audiences to this day. Initially composed for a small ensemble of singers accompanied by two pianos and a harmonium, the piece is presented here in Rossini’s orchestration.

With this Rossini recording, the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg and its Music Director Gustavo Gimeno continue their acclaimed PENTATONE series of composer portraits that already features monographs of Shostakovich, Bruckner, Ravel, Mahler, Stravinsky and Debussy. On this album they work together with organist Tobias Berndt, the Wiener Singakademie and a quartet of outstanding soloists: Eleonora Burrato (Soprano), Sara Mingardo (Mezzo-Soprano), Kenneth Tarver (Tenor) and Luca Pisaroni (Bass).

Tracklist:
1. I. Kyrie 07:06
2. IIa. Gloria in excelsis Deo 02:25
3. IIb. Gratias agimus tibi 04:22
4. IIc. Domine Deus 05:05
5. IId. Qui tollis peccata mundi 07:22
6. IIe. Quoniam tu solus sanctus 07:07
7. IIf. Cum Sancto Spiritu 05:53
8. IIIa. Credo in unum Deum 04:15
9. IIIb. Crucifixus 03:19
10. IIIc. Et resurrexit 08:48
11. IV. Preludio religioso - Ritornello 08:07
12. V. Sanctus 03:52
13. VI. O salutaris hostia 05:36
14. VII. Agnus Dei 08:24

Personnel:
Eleonora Burrato, soprano
Sara Mingardo, mezzo-soprano
Kenneth Tarver, tenor
Luca Pisaroni, bass
Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg
Gustavo Gimeno, conductor