| Messe brève no. 7 | |
|---|---|
| in C aux chapelles | |
| Missa brevis by Charles Gounod | |
 The composer in 1890 | |
| Text | Order of Mass |
| Language | Latin |
| Composed | 1877 / 1890 |
| Movements | 5 |
| Vocal |
|
| Instrumental | organ |
Messe brève no. 7 is a missa brevis in C major by Charles Gounod, composed in 1877 for two vocal parts and organ, and expanded in 1890 to four choir parts and organ. It is subtitled "in C aux chapelles".
History
Charles Gounod, known for operas, was a prolific composer of sacred music.[1] In 1877, he composed the missa brevis in C major, without a Credo and Benedictus but with an added "O salutaris hostia". This first version was scored for two voices (solo and choir) and organ.[2][3] He wrote a version for two soloists, tenor and bass, four-part choir and organ in 1890.[2][3] At that time, "aux chapelles" (for chapels) was added to the title. It was first published in 1893. It was published again by Carus-Verlag in 1987, edited by Günter Graulich.[2][3] In that edition, the music of "O salutaris hostia" is printed with the missing liturgical text Benedictus, adapted by Thomas Kohlhase.[3]
The mass has been included in a recommendation for small choirs.[4]
Composition
Of the Order of Mass, Gounod omitted the Credo and Benedictus,[3] but added a setting of "O salutaris hostia". The vocal parts of the mass are performed by two soloists (tenor and bass) and a choir of four parts in the final version.[2] The soloists sing short versions within the structure, often both as a duet.[3][1]
In the following table of the movements, the markings, keys and time signatures are taken from the choral score. All movements are in common-time.[3]
| No. | Part | Marking | Key |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Kyrie | Moderato, (sans lenteur) | C major |
| II | Gloria | Allegro, Andante, Allegro | C major |
| III | Sanctus | Andante | C major |
| IV | O salutaris hostia | Adagio | F major |
| V | Agnus Dei | Moderato | C major |
The style is characterised by tone repetitions similar to liturgical chanting. The composer follows the declamation of the words also in motifs.[2] The mass is intentionally simple, with some surprising harmonic developments.[1]
Recording
The mass was recorded as part of a collection of Musica Sacra, sacred music by Gounod, published in 2005 by Carus. It was performed by the chamber choir I Vocalisti, conducted by Hans-Joachim Lustig, with Tobias Götting as the organist.[5][1]
References
- ^ a b c d Lange, Matthias (6 July 2018). "Köstlich". klassik.com. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Charles Gounod / Messe brève no. 7 aux chapelles". Carus-Verlag. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g Graulich, Günter. "Charles Gounod / Messe brève no. 7 in C aux chapelles" (PDF). Carus-Verlag. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ "Kleine Chöre, große Töne – Literaturtipps aus dem Webinar" (in German). Chorverband der Evangelischen Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ "Ohrenschmaus" (in German). I Vocalisti. 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
Sources
- Messe breve No.7 (Gounod, Charles): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- Free scores of Messe brève no. 7 (Gounod) in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
| Operas |
|
|---|---|
| Oratorios |
|
| Sacred music |
|
| Orchestral |
|
| Other works |
|
| Related | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 10:52