Composer

:

Camille Saint-Saëns

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Mass

Compose Date

:

1855

Average_duration

:

41:41

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Camille Saint-Saëns composed his Messe solenelle, Op. 4 in 1855, when he was just 20 years old. The piece was premiered on December 22, 1855, at the Church of Saint-Merri in Paris, with the composer himself conducting. The Messe solenelle is a setting of the Ordinary of the Mass, and it is scored for four soloists, choir, and orchestra. The Messe solenelle is divided into six movements, each of which showcases Saint-Saëns' skillful use of harmony, counterpoint, and orchestration. The first movement, Kyrie, begins with a solemn choral introduction, followed by a fugue that showcases the composer's mastery of counterpoint. The Gloria, the second movement, is a joyful and exuberant setting of the text, with a lively orchestral accompaniment and soaring vocal lines. The Credo, the longest movement of the work, is divided into several sections, each of which sets a different part of the text. The movement begins with a majestic choral statement of the text, followed by a fugue on the words "Et incarnatus est." The Sanctus, the fourth movement, is a serene and contemplative setting of the text, with a delicate orchestral accompaniment and soaring vocal lines. The fifth movement, the Benedictus, is a duet for soprano and tenor, with a gentle orchestral accompaniment. The final movement, the Agnus Dei, is a solemn and prayerful setting of the text, with a rich orchestral accompaniment and soaring vocal lines. Throughout the Messe solenelle, Saint-Saëns demonstrates his skillful use of harmony, counterpoint, and orchestration, as well as his ability to create music that is both joyful and contemplative. The work is a testament to the composer's early talent and foreshadows the many great works he would go on to compose throughout his career.

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