Audio CD review:
Charles Gounod, Georges Pretre, Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique, Barbara Hendricks, Jean-Philippe Lafont, Laurence Dale, Choeurs de Radio-France - Gounod - St. Cecilia Mass / Hendricks, Dale, Lafont, Pretre

Charles Gounod, Georges Pretre, Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique, Barbara Hendricks, Jean-Philippe Lafont, Laurence Dale, Choeurs de Radio-France - Gounod - St. Cecilia Mass / Hendricks, Dale, Lafont, Pretre

Band: Charles Gounod, Georges Pretre, Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique, Barbara Hendricks, Jean-Philippe Lafont, Laurence Dale, Choeurs de Radio-France Title: Gounod - St. Cecilia Mass / Hendricks, Dale, Lafont, Pretre Rating: Release Date: 25 October, 1990 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Messe solennelle en l'honneur de Sainte Cecile: I. Kyrie 2: Messe solennelle en l'honneur de Sainte Cecile: II. Gloria 3: Messe solennelle en l'honneur de Sainte Cecile: III. Credo 4: Messe solennelle en l'honneur de Sainte Cecile: III. Invocation - Offertoire 5: Messe solennelle en l'honneur de Sainte Cecile: IV. Sanctus 6: Messe solennelle en l'honneur de Sainte Cecile: V. Bendeictus 7: Messe solennelle en l'honneur de Sainte Cecile: VI. Agnus Dei 8: Messe solennelle en l'honneur de Sainte Cecile: Domine salvum

Customer Reviews a voice teacher and early music fan Charles Gounod (1818-1893), composer of the opera "Faust", almost became a priest,instead of a composer, but he was dissuaded by his many friends not to do so. 'A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOREVER'. Nevertheless, his 5 years of preparation fo the priesthood contributed to his musical career, for during that time he studied the works of Schumann and Berlioz, and acquired an excellent knowledge of orchstration. Saint-Saens wrote that the ultimate fame of Charles Gounod would rest above all on his religious music, 'The Saint Cecelia Mass', 'Redemption' and 'Mors et Vita'. This prediction has yet to be fullfilled, for more listeners focus on his many operas. And yet, his youthful works have nothing of the secular in them. Gounod found no pleasure in any music Rome had to offer him, except for the singing of Palestrina by the Sistine Chapel Choir. He undertook the 'St. Ceclia Mass' in 1855, and it was firt performed on Nov. 22, 1855. In writing this mass he took certain liberties with the liturgy, and he was above all concerned with rendering it's spirit in a manner that did honor to the patron saint of music. He wrote concerning it: "There is only one difficulty. . . It is to match in music the demands of this incomparable and inexhaustible subject: the Mass!. . . in music!. . . by a paltry man!. . May God take pity on me!" When it was first performed, Saint-Saens wrote:"The appearance of the Saint Cecelia Mass caused a sort of stupor. This simplicity, this grandeur, this serene light which rose upon the musical world like a dawn troubled people greatly: one felt the approach of genius. . . " I can certainly relate to Saint-Saen's comment, for I feel the same way when I hear this ethereal and exquisitely beautiful music, performed very well indeed by the Choirs of Radio France and the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Radio France all held together by Georges Pretre. The sololists were flawless in their renditions; I have always liked the full rich voice of Barbara Hendricks, but all did Gounod justice. While I still enjoy his operas a great deal, nothing quite equals hearing the marvelous and inspiring 'Sanctus' from this Mass. At the end, the priest in him triumphed over the pagan, and the erstwhile bachelor, aged 75,blind and paralyzed, composed as his last piece a 'Requiem'. He died shortly thereafter. Gounod Thank you Jack for introducing Gounod to me 15 years ago. Choral magnificence - Always uplifting and inspiring. Heaven on earth but a 45min CD Even if you have never heard the piece before you are immediately overwhelmed by the great singing and the good support provided by the orchestra. No question this performance of Gounod's 'St Cecilia Mass' is excellent. The three soloists are the great plus of this recording with Barbara Hendricks singing heavenly. The only dissapointment is the short timing of the CD that goes a bit over 45 min. Other than that the CD is recommended to the fullest extent. . . You can see a complete list of all Charles Gounod, Georges Pretre, Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique, Barbara Hendricks, Jean-Philippe Lafont, Laurence Dale, Choeurs de Radio-France discography, or go back to the Charles Gounod, Georges Pretre, Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique, Barbara Hendricks, Jean-Philippe Lafont, Laurence Dale, Choeurs de Radio-France tabs