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Fasolo: Masses & Hymns on CD

Majesty, solemnity and brilliance: Volume 3 of a series dedicated to the works of Giovanni Battista Fasolo (1598-1664), a little-known friar and composer for the church from southern Italy.

Individual pieces by Fasolo have featured on a few compilations of sacred music from 17th-century Italy, but until now there has been no comprehensive survey of this overlooked but significant figure. Made at the cathedral of Verona in August 2024, this new 3CD set of his organ masses is the most substantial set of his work ever issued. All the music here was published in 1645, but composed at least a decade earlier, from Fasolo's period of service to various ducal chapels in Naples and Rome.

The three Mass settings follow the orthodox form of 'organ masses': each line of the text is sung in Gregorian chant, alternating with new and original instrumental elaborations of those lines on the organ. Thus the weight of musical 'content' falls heavily on the organ part, performed here with both exuberance and sensitivity by Federico del Sordo.

The 51 verses composed by Fasolo for this trio of organ Masses cover a spectrum of musical styles. They show how much Fasolo wished to break out of the idioms he had inherited from Renaissance composers such as Frescobaldi, and extend the syntax into Baroque territory. The Masses are complemented on each disc by Fasolo's settings of motets and ancient hymns for the church such as the Te Deum and Pange lingua, all organised according to the same alternatim practice.

Alberto Turco and Federico del Sordo have won praise for two previous collections of Fasolo's music on Brilliant Classics. Of their collection of Magnificats and a Salve Regina (95512), the critic in Fanfare wrote: 'The keyboard playing by Federico del Sordo is capable and always lively... I like the brilliant registrations chosen for the organ, which give it considerable resonance. A fine disc, and one that should show that Fasola was no slouch when exercising his craft.'

- Giovanni Battista Fasolo (1598-1680) was born in Asti (Italy) and spent his life as a Franciscan Friar in Rome, Naples and finally as Maestro di Cappella at the Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily. He is mainly known for his "Annuale", the largest compendium of organ music for liturgical use written in the 17th century.

- Fasolo'sworks exemplify the intricate and expressive qualities of sacred music during the era. Fasolo's contributions to liturgical music, particularly his masses and hymns, reveal his mastery in fusing traditional polyphony with the emerging Baroque idioms.

- Fasolo's masses stand out for their balance of solemnity and melodic grace, tailored for the sacred context. Utilizing the contrapuntal style inherited from the Renaissance, he infused these works with a sense of spiritual depth while embracing the clarity and harmonic richness characteristic of the early Baroque. His masses often feature clear textual declamation, ensuring liturgical accessibility.

- His hymns similarly demonstrate an affinity for melodic inventiveness and expressive nuance. Fasolo crafted these pieces with attention to the liturgical calendar, providing a musical foundation for communal worship. These compositions are marked by their lyrical beauty and ability to evoke devotion, often employing alternation between chant-like simplicity and more elaborate polyphonic textures.

- Performed by the Nova Schola Gregoriana of Verona, conducted by Alberto Turco, and Federico Del Sordo, playing the historic Antegnati organ of the Verona Cathedral. Both musicians have already successfully recorded works by Fasolo, Merulo and Salvatore for Brilliant Classics.