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".
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]
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]
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]