Rigatti: 1640 Venetian Mass

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Monteverdi so dominates the picture of early 17th-century Venetian music that it's easy to forget he had talented students and colleagues. Rigatti, one of the most promising, might have succeeded Monteverdi at San Marco had he lived beyond age 34. This recording reconstructs a Mass for the Feast of the Purification (a.k.a. Groundhog Day) around Rigatti's Messa à 8; also included are contemporary motets and sonatas (including one each by Monteverdi and Gesualdo). Rigatti's Mass has some attractive moments, though his melodic inspiration occasionally flags; the motets and sonatas are lovely, as is all the instrumental playing (especially by violinist Marc Destrubé). The choir sounds a bit large for this repertory, and its singing may a lack certain polish, but it's never less than competent. Matthew Westphal

Tracks:

Intrada: Son Ottava A 6
Plaint-Chant: Introitus: Suscepimus Deus
Sinf
Kyrie
Gloria
Ad Graduale: Canzona Decimarquarta A 6
Alleluia: Motet: O Stella Coeli
Messe A 8 Voix: Credo A 8
Ad Offertorium: Motet: Deus Refugium
Plain-chant: Prefatio: Per Omina Secula/Sursum Corda
Messe A 8 Voix: Sanctus A 8
Ad Elevationem: Motet: Christe Adoramus Te
Plain-Chant: Pater Noster: Per Omina Secula/Praeceptis
Messe A 8 Voix: Agnus Dei A 8
Plain-Chant: Pax Domini: Pax Domini Sit
Ad Communionem: Motet: O Dulcissima Virgo
Son Seconda A Sop Solo
Plain-chant: Ite Missa Est: Ite Missa Est
Ad Recessionem: Motet: Exultate Justi

Amazon.com

Monteverdi so dominates the picture of early 17th-century Venetian music that it's easy to forget he had talented students and colleagues. Rigatti, one of the most promising, might have succeeded Monteverdi at San Marco had he lived beyond age 34. This recording reconstructs a Mass for the Feast of the Purification (a.k.a. Groundhog Day) around Rigatti's Messa à 8; also included are contemporary motets and sonatas (including one each by Monteverdi and Gesualdo). Rigatti's Mass has some attractive moments, though his melodic inspiration occasionally flags; the motets and sonatas are lovely, as is all the instrumental playing (especially by violinist Marc Destrubé). The choir sounds a bit large for this repertory, and its singing may a lack certain polish, but it's never less than competent. Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Rigatti: mass of 1640.......2003-02-22

Prior to purchasing this record, I didn't have any clue as to the quality of the Vancouver cantata singers, so what made me buy this was solely my enthusiasm for Rigatti's work (as well as the works of his post-Monteverdi contemporaries, such as Rovetta and Cavalli.)
As noted by reviewer Matthew Westphal, the choir is rather large; the solo voices, as well as ripieni forces, do however meet the requirements for this sophisticatede music, at a more moderate level than, say, the Gabrieli consort & players in their
wonderfull Venetian Vespers recording.
Thus, if you're curious to hear this mass by a somewhat neglected, but great master, then do not hesitate buying this: the performance, if not perfect, is good enough.
The mass is very similar to Cavalli's Messa Concertata, sharing its moments of beauty but also its weaknesses: primarily, being rather traditional, not very concise, and perhaps predictable. At times (i.e. the concluding Agnus Dei) it seems even uninspired as compared to, say, Rigatti's Dixit Dominus or Magnificat from the Mccreesh-recording.Despite this, much beauty is still to be found here.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

You're a Big Girl Now [EP]

Carmina Burana: The Singers' Edition

Callings From the Quiet Grove

Upriver: Yo Miles! [Hybrid SACD]

Dance Party Favorites

Echoes of Nature: Ocean Waves and Sampler

Cinema Anni 60 [Import]

Doc Holliday Rides Again [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Chronicles of Life & Death [Import]

Best of Erik Satie [Import]

Bossa Nova Bacchanal [Import]

Banda Vallarta Show

Brillantes

In the Mood for Love

City on a Hill: Sing Alleluia