Gounod-Messe Solennelle St. Cecilia

Live from 2008 performanceGounod was born in Paris, the son of a pianist mother and a draftsman father. His mother was his first piano teacher. Under her tutelage, Gounod first showed his musical talents. He entered the Paris Conservatoire where he studied under Fromental Halévy.He won the Prix de Rome in 1839 for his cantata Ferdinand.He subsequently went to Italy where he studied the music of Palestrina. He concentrated on religious music of the sixteenth century.Gounod eventually returned to Paris and composed the "Messe Solennelle", also known as the "Saint Cecilia Mass". This work was first performed in London during 1851 and began his reputation as a noteworthy composer.He wrote two symphonies in 1855. His Symphony No.1 in D major was the inspiration for Georges Bizet's (who was then Gounod's 17 year old student) Symphony No. 1 in C, composed later that same year. Despite their charm and brilliance, Gounod's symphonies are seldom performed. One of the few recordings of the symphonies was a CD made by Sir Neville Mariner with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields for Philips Records.Gounod wrote his first opera, Sapho, in 1851, but had no great success until Faust (1859), based on the play by Goethe. This remains his best-known work. The romantic and highly melodious Roméo et Juliette (based on the Shakespeare play), premiered in 1867, is also performed and recorded regularly. The charming and highly individual Mireille of 1864 is admired by connoisseurs.There is some controversy surrounding "Faust". Many critics believed it was a far advancement over Gounod's prior works. One critic stated his doubt that Gounod composed it, which prompted Gounod to challenge the critic to a duel. The critic withdrew his statement.[citation needed]From 1870 to 1875 Gounod lived in England, becoming the first conductor of what is now the Royal Choral Society. Much of Gounod's music from this time is vocal or choral in nature.Later in his life, Gounod returned to his early religious impulses, writing much religious music, including a musical setting of Ave Maria based on the first prelude from Book I of the Well-Tempered Clavier (BWV 846) by J.S. Bach and Hymnus Pontificius the anthem of Vatican. In fact, he died as he put the finishing touches to a requiem "Le Grand Requiem" inspired by the death of his grandson, a major work which he was never to hear performed.Gounod died in 1893 in Saint-Cloud, France.

Channel: Music
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: francotenelli

Length: 10:41
Rating: 5.00
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