If this is Petite, call me Twiggy!

 

It covers 2 CDs, after all...

There are a few versions of Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle. The original was for two pianos, harmonium, and a dozen singers, a very chamber-scoped presentation. This recording is scored for a full symphony orchestra, very different in feel.

Of Rossini's large-scaled Sacred works, this one actually feels the most religious. Don't get me wrong, there are still plenty of operatic vocal acrobatics here, but the over-arching quality is rather pastoral.

While there are many fine recordings of this work, I like the fully Italianate sound of this performance. Chailly is manner-born to Rossini, and it is no different here. A splendid recording of the fully-orchestrated version.

A review from 2021

Gioachino Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle is a delightful composition. Not particularly devout, and full of arias that could be plucked straight from his operas, yet there is a beautiful pastoral quality to much of this mass that shows growth from his earlier Stabat Mater. Of all his sacred music, ‘Petite’ seems the most sacred to my ears, perhaps due to the larger role for chorus and Rossini’s solid overarching structure.


But much of this work is dedicated to the four vocal soloists, particularly in the six-part Gloria. Here we have a fully-Italian quartet who sing strongly and work well together as an ensemble. If Rossini’s Stabat Mater was a spotlight for the tenor, the bass gets quite a bit in the first half of the Mass, and Pertusi has a burly top end for drama. The rest are excellent in their spotlights and none are particularly overbearing.


The Bologna Community Theatre Orchestra, who Riccardo Chailly worked with for seven years ending with this recording, is a wonderful sounding symphony orchestra. The strings have a lovely sheen and the winds do well in their frequently exposed parts. The chorus is equally strong, the a cappella sections are secure and thoughtfully sung, although I thought the Decca sound made them a bit impenetrable sounding at their loudest portions.


Riccardo Chailly sees Rossini’s orchestrated Petite Mass as a fully Romantic, operatic work, and its large scale is grandiose, yet moving. Rossini’s original conception of this work, for 12 singers, 2 pianos, and harmonium, exists in a completely different sound world, so make sure you find the correct version you are looking for. The orchestrated version is more of my cup of tea, but the intimacy of the original stands in stark contrast elsewhere.


A beautiful, large-scale recording, Chailly’s performance has a lot going for it - strong Italian soloists, a lovely sounding orchestra and choir, and purposeful, yet graceful direction from Chailly. A few other recordings are strong in the catalog of this work, but this is very good.

 

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Works
Petite Messe Solennelle

Soloists
Daniella Dessi, soprano
Gloria Scalchi, mezzo-soprano
Giuseppe Sabbatini, tenor
Michele Pertusi, bass

Performers
Bologna Community Theatre Chorus
Bologna Community Theatre Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly, conductor

Label: Decca
Year: 1995
Total Timing: 1.22.33

 

 

 

The Petite Messe Solennelle is probably the best Rossini wrote for sacred music.

Add this to a fully Italian team, and you have magic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find more Rossini recordings HERE!