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{{Infobox musical composition
[[File:Verdi-1899.jpg|thumb|The composer in 1899]]
| name = Quattro pezzi sacri
| composer = [[Giuseppe Verdi]]
| subtitle = [[Sacred music|Sacred vocal music]]
| image = File:Verdi-1899.jpg
| alt = The composer in 1899
| caption =
| title_English = Four Sacred Pieces
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = it
| text = {{plainlist|
* [[Ave Maria]]
* [[Stabat Mater]]
* Laudi alla Vergine Maria
* [[Te Deum]]
}}
| language = {{flatlist|
* [[Latin]]
* [[Italian]]
}}
| composed = {{Start date|1886}} – {{End date|1897}}
| performed = {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1998|04|07|df=y}}|location=[[Paris Opera]]}}
| published = {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1998}}|location=[[Milano]]}}
| scoring =
| misc =
}}

The '''''Quattro Pezzi Sacri''''', or ''Four Sacred Pieces'', are choral works by [[Giuseppe Verdi]]. Written separately during the last decades of the composer's life and with different origins and purposes, they were nevertheless published together, in 1898, and are often performed as a cycle in this sequence:
The '''''Quattro Pezzi Sacri''''', or ''Four Sacred Pieces'', are choral works by [[Giuseppe Verdi]]. Written separately during the last decades of the composer's life and with different origins and purposes, they were nevertheless published together, in 1898, and are often performed as a cycle in this sequence:


Line 18: Line 44:


==== ''Ave Maria'' ====
==== ''Ave Maria'' ====

[[File:Echelle enigmatique en do.png|thumb|Enigmatic scale on C, base for Verdi's ''Ave Maria'']]
[[File:Echelle enigmatique en do.png|thumb|Enigmatic scale on C, base for Verdi's ''Ave Maria'']]
Verdi was inspired in 1889 to compose ''Ave Maria'' by the enigmatic scale C – D-flat – E – F-sharp – G-sharp – A-sharp – B – C which [[Adolfo Crescentini]] (1854–1921) had published in Ricordi's magazine ''Gazetta musicale di Milano'', inviting to harmonise it. Verdi composed a setting for four unaccompanied voices, with the [[Bass (voice type)|bass]] singing the scale first, followed by [[alto]], [[tenor]] and [[soprano]], whereas the three remaining voices supply harmonic texture.<ref name="Schweikert" /> Verdi revised the work in June 1897 for the publication. It takes about six minutes to perform.
Verdi was inspired in 1889 to compose ''Ave Maria'' by the enigmatic scale C – D-flat – E – F-sharp – G-sharp – A-sharp – B – C which [[Adolfo Crescentini]] (1854–1921) had published in Ricordi's magazine ''Gazetta musicale di Milano'', inviting to harmonise it. Verdi composed a setting for four unaccompanied voices, with the [[Bass (voice type)|bass]] singing the scale first, followed by [[alto]], [[tenor]] and [[soprano]], whereas the three remaining voices supply harmonic texture.<ref name="Schweikert" /> Verdi revised the work in June 1897 for the publication. It takes about six minutes to perform.
Line 31: Line 58:
''Laudi alla Vergine Maria'' is another a cappella work, set for four solo female voices. It is based on a short prayer from the conclusion of Dantes's ''[[Paradiso (Dante)|Paradiso]]'', third part of his ''[[Divina Commedia]]''. Verdi relies on the counterpoint of [[Renaissance music]]. The audience requested a repetition when it was first performed.<ref name="Schweikert" /> It takes about six minutes to perform.
''Laudi alla Vergine Maria'' is another a cappella work, set for four solo female voices. It is based on a short prayer from the conclusion of Dantes's ''[[Paradiso (Dante)|Paradiso]]'', third part of his ''[[Divina Commedia]]''. Verdi relies on the counterpoint of [[Renaissance music]]. The audience requested a repetition when it was first performed.<ref name="Schweikert" /> It takes about six minutes to perform.


==== ''Te Deum'' ====
==== ''Te Deum'' ====

The ''Te Deum'' is scored four two four-part choirs, a short soprano solo and large orchestra, adding [[Cor anglais]] and [[bass clarinet]] to the orchestra of the ''Stabat Mater''.<ref name="Schweikert" /> The music begins with the [[Gregorian chant]] ''Te deum laudamus, te Dominum confitemur'', continued [[Responsory|responsorially]] by the whole male choir in [[unison]]. The full choir and orchestra enter in partly dramatic scenes, reminiscent of the Messa da Requiem,<ref name="Schweikert" /> interspersed by Gregorian chant. The final line ''in te speravi'' is first rendered by a single soprano voice from the choir, representing the "[voice of] mankind", as Verdi requested. The line is repeated by the choir, followed by a reticent postlude, similar to the conclusion of the Requiem.<ref name="Schweikert" /> A performance takes about 15 minutes. Verdi himself suggested 12 minutes.
The ''Te Deum'' is scored four two four-part choirs, a short soprano solo and large orchestra, adding [[Cor anglais]] and [[bass clarinet]] to the orchestra of the ''Stabat Mater''.<ref name="Schweikert" /> The music begins with the [[Gregorian chant]] ''Te deum laudamus, te Dominum confitemur'', continued [[Responsory|responsorially]] by the whole male choir in [[unison]]. The full choir and orchestra enter in partly dramatic scenes, reminiscent of the Messa da Requiem,<ref name="Schweikert" /> interspersed by Gregorian chant. The final line ''in te speravi'' is first rendered by a single soprano voice from the choir, representing the "[voice of] mankind", as Verdi requested. The line is repeated by the choir, followed by a reticent postlude, similar to the conclusion of the Requiem.<ref name="Schweikert" /> A performance takes about 15 minutes. Verdi himself suggested 12 minutes.


Revision as of 19:46, 8 October 2013

Quattro pezzi sacri
Sacred vocal music
by Giuseppe Verdi
The composer in 1899
Text
Language
Composed1886 (1886) – 1897 (1897)
Performed7 April 1998 (1998-04-07): Paris Opera
Published1998 (1998): Milano

The Quattro Pezzi Sacri, or Four Sacred Pieces, are choral works by Giuseppe Verdi. Written separately during the last decades of the composer's life and with different origins and purposes, they were nevertheless published together, in 1898, and are often performed as a cycle in this sequence:

  • Ave Maria
  • Stabat Mater
  • Laudi alla Vergine Maria
  • Te Deum

Laudi alla Vergine Maria is an Italian hymn, set for four female voices a cappella between 1886 and 1888. The Ave Maria is a setting of the Latin "Ave Maria" for four solo voices a capella, composed in 1889. The Te Deum is a setting of the Latin "Te Deum" for double chorus and orchestra, composed in 1895 and 1896. The Stabat Mater is a setting of the Latin "Stabat Mater" for chorus and orchestra, composed in 1896 and 1897.

History

After Verdi finished his opera Aida and in 1874 the Messa da Requiem, he retired from composing for years, writing only minor sacred compositions such as a Pater Noster and an Ave Maria in 1880.[1] He wrote Laudi alla Vergine Maria between 1886 and 1888. After the completion of Otello in 1887, he composed in 1889 the Ave Maria sulla scala enigmatica, which became part of the Pezzi sacri in a revised version of 1897. The setting is built on an enigmatic scale. In 1894, one year after completing Falstaff, Verdi composed a Pietà Signor for voice and piano.[1]

At the end of his life Verdi returned to his beginnings as a church musician.[2] He studied Bach's Mass in B minor and compositions by Palestrina,[2] whose influence is apparent in the Laudi alla Vergine Maria.

Music

Ave Maria

Enigmatic scale on C, base for Verdi's Ave Maria

Verdi was inspired in 1889 to compose Ave Maria by the enigmatic scale C – D-flat – E – F-sharp – G-sharp – A-sharp – B – C which Adolfo Crescentini (1854–1921) had published in Ricordi's magazine Gazetta musicale di Milano, inviting to harmonise it. Verdi composed a setting for four unaccompanied voices, with the bass singing the scale first, followed by alto, tenor and soprano, whereas the three remaining voices supply harmonic texture.[2] Verdi revised the work in June 1897 for the publication. It takes about six minutes to perform.

Stabat Mater

While Ave Maria is set for soloists, Verdi scored the Stabat Mater for a four-part mixed chorus (SATB) and a large orchestra of three flutes, two oboes, two clarinets. four bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, four trombones, percussion (timpani and bass drum), harp and strings.

The work is through-composed, without repetition of text. It is full of chromaticism. Melodic parts, similar to arias, contrast with a capella passages and dramatic outbursts. The music reaches a climax on the text Paradisi gloria (glory of paradise), then dies down in the lowest registers of the strings.[2] A performance takes about 12 minutes.

Laudi alla Vergine Maria

Laudi alla Vergine Maria is another a cappella work, set for four solo female voices. It is based on a short prayer from the conclusion of Dantes's Paradiso, third part of his Divina Commedia. Verdi relies on the counterpoint of Renaissance music. The audience requested a repetition when it was first performed.[2] It takes about six minutes to perform.

Te Deum

The Te Deum is scored four two four-part choirs, a short soprano solo and large orchestra, adding Cor anglais and bass clarinet to the orchestra of the Stabat Mater.[2] The music begins with the Gregorian chant Te deum laudamus, te Dominum confitemur, continued responsorially by the whole male choir in unison. The full choir and orchestra enter in partly dramatic scenes, reminiscent of the Messa da Requiem,[2] interspersed by Gregorian chant. The final line in te speravi is first rendered by a single soprano voice from the choir, representing the "[voice of] mankind", as Verdi requested. The line is repeated by the choir, followed by a reticent postlude, similar to the conclusion of the Requiem.[2] A performance takes about 15 minutes. Verdi himself suggested 12 minutes.

Performances

Three parts of the pieces, not the Ave Maria, were first performed on 7 and 8 April 1898 at the Paris Opera as part of a concert series of the Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, conducted by Paul Taffanel (1844–1908). Verdi was not present because he he had suffered a mild stroke, but sent Arrigo Boito with several requests, partly in writing, for performace details. The first performance in Italy again without the Ave Maria, was conducted on 26 May 1898 in Turin by Arturo Toscanini who had talked to Verdi. The first performance in Austria on 13 November 1898 in Vienna was conducted by Richard von Perger and included the Ave Maria einbezogen, but the two a cappella works were performed by the choir, not by solo voices as Verdi had intended.[2]

Verdi regarded the Te deum as his best work and reputedly wanted to be buried with the score.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Julian Budden: Verdi Leben und Werk, Stuttgart 2000, pp. 344–364.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Uwe Schweikert: Quattro pezzi sacri, in: Anselm Gerhard and Uwe Schweikert, Verdi Handbuch, Metzler Kassel, Bärenreiter Stuttgart and Weimar 2001, pp. 504–507.

External links

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