Goffredo Petrassi was one of the most important Italian composers of the twentieth century. Beginning with the previously unrecorded Divertimento in C, this release focuses on Petrassi's compositions of the 1930s and 40s. Employing an unusual mix of styles and idioms, as well as brief quotations from Ravel and Stravinsky, the Partita was the first work to win him renown. The eloquent Quattro inni sacri (Four Sacred Hymns), described by the composer as 'music of today for the faithful of today', were intended as an antidote 'to the unctuous and conformist style in use in our churches' but, in reality, are only ever heard in the concert hall. Soon after the start of the Second World War, Petrassi wrote his meditative madrigal, Coro di Morti (Chorus of the Dead), the composer's first setting of a non-sacred text and perhaps his finest achievement in the field of vocal music.
1 Divertimento in C Major: I. Allegro Rome Symphony Orchestra 5:05
2 Divertimento in C Major: II. Caccia: Andante Rome Symphony Orchestra 6:20
3 Divertimento in C Major: III. Pavana Rome Symphony Orchestra 6:01
4 Divertimento in C Major: IV. Allegro Rome Symphony Orchestra 4:16
5 Partita: I. Gagliarda Rome Symphony Orchestra 5:58
6 Partita: II. Ciaccona Rome Symphony Orchestra 7:50
7 Partita: III. Giga Rome Symphony Orchestra 4:57
8 4 Inni Sacri (Version for Tenor, Baritone and Orchestra): No. 1. Jesus Dulcis Memoria Carlo Putelli 4:03
9 4 Inni Sacri (Version for Tenor, Baritone and Orchestra): No. 2. Te Lucis Ante Terminum Carlo Putelli 2:58
10 4 Inni Sacri (Version for Tenor, Baritone and Orchestra): No. 3. Lucis Creator Optime Carlo Putelli 3:57
11 4 Inni Sacri (Version for Tenor, Baritone and Orchestra): No. 4. Salvete Christi Vulnera Carlo Putelli 7:25
12 Coro Di Morti Coro Lirico Sinfonico Romano 16:40
Goffredo Petrassi was one of the most important Italian composers of the twentieth century. Beginning with the previously unrecorded Divertimento in C, this release focuses on Petrassi's compositions of the 1930s and 40s. Employing an unusual mix of styles and idioms, as well as brief quotations from Ravel and Stravinsky, the Partita was the first work to win him renown. The eloquent Quattro inni sacri (Four Sacred Hymns), described by the composer as 'music of today for the faithful of today', were intended as an antidote 'to the unctuous and conformist style in use in our churches' but, in reality, are only ever heard in the concert hall. Soon after the start of the Second World War, Petrassi wrote his meditative madrigal, Coro di Morti (Chorus of the Dead), the composer's first setting of a non-sacred text and perhaps his finest achievement in the field of vocal music.
