Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle

Featuring

Flavio Emilio Scogna
Letizia Calandra
Chiarastella Onorati
Giuliano Di Filippo
Lorenzo Battagion
Michelangelo Carbonara

Enrico Maria Polimanti
Alberto Pavoni
Goffredo Petrassi Chamber Choir
Gioachino Rossini

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Rossini considered the original version of the Petite Messe Solennelle, with its innovative instrumentation, superior to the later orchestral version.

Composition History

Gioachino Rossini, in retirement, composed the Petite Messe Solennelle in 1863, calling it one of his "Péchés de vieillesse" (Sins of Old Age).

Composer's Artistic Vision

Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle is described as a manifesto against the degeneration of romantic art, showcasing an artist who refused self-aggrandizement before the divine.

Compositional Technique

The original scoring of the Petite Messe Solennelle features a percussive main piano, occasionally reinforced by a second piano, and a harmonium that adds a pastoral aura without dominating.

Compositional Technique

Rossini's approach to tonality in the Petite Messe Solennelle is described as 'classical,' using an architecture of blocks arranged with contrast and analogy, similar to Boccherini.

Notable Performances

The premiere of Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle took place on March 14, 1864, at the palace of banker Pillet-Will, whose wife Louise was the dedicatee.

Interpretation

This recording adheres to Rossini's original intention for the Petite Messe Solennelle, using only twelve singers (four soloists and eight choristers) and omitting the "O salutaris hostia" section.