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Subject:
From:
Dave Lampson <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Moderated Classical Music List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 13 Oct 2005 15:59:16 -0700
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 From my readings, I believe that many, if not most, Renaissance and
Baroque composers wrote instrumental music appropriate for church settings,
usually as part of their normal duties.  The designation of sonatas and
concertos as "da camera" (for the chamber) or "da chiesa" (for the church)
was fairly common.  Schmelzer wrote a "Sonata a 8 per chiesa e camera",
so sometimes the same piece of music was deemed appropriate for both
settings.  Giovanni Gabrieli wrote many canzonas for wind ensembles he
titled "Symphoniae Sacrae".  The examples are so numerous, you could
probably pick your favorite early composer and find something that is
appropriate for sacred settings (i.e., omits dance forms, etc.).  And.
of course, the criteria for music appropriate for church has hardly been
static.

Joseph Martin Kraus (1756-1792), an almost exact contemporary of
Mozart, wrote at least two symphonies he designed as "per la chiesa".
They are short (about 10 minutes each), but full of interesting musical
ideas.  A little closer to our time, Sir George Dyson (1883-1964) wrote
a Concerto da chiesa, and Ottorino Respighi's symphonic poem "Church
Windows" (Verate de Chiesa) probably also qualifies.  Howard Hanson's
Symphony #4 is subtitled "Requiem" and Symphony #5 is subtitled "Sinfonia
Sacra".  Rubbra, Holmboe, and Parry all wrote Sinfonia Sacra, though
they require voices.

Then there are the "religioso" works.  Berlioz's Tristia #1 "Meditation
religieuse" (Op. 18 #1) pops up.  Mackenzie wrote a "Benedictus" for
orchestra (Op. 37 #3) in 1888.  And there are 20th-century "Andante
religioso" works by Halvorsen, Alfven, and Merikanto.  In 1977 Mathias
composed a "Requiescat" for orchestra (Op. 79).  And, depending on how
far you want to stretch things, Rued Langgaard produced a "Antichrist"
Prelude for orchestra in 1930.  Then there are many, many Christmas
works.

That's about all I can come up with that hasn't been mentioned before.

Dave

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