Was it
Pergolesi or Durante?
Pergolesi/Durante
MAGNIFICAT
“This was the first piece I ever conducted and it therefore holds a special place for me. It is short yet wonderful to sing, combining a joyful sense of buoyancy with sumptuous melodic lines in a similar manner to Vivaldi's Gloria. In fact, the two are often performed together. Do come and join me in LIVE sessions to learn and record this remarkable piece of choral music”
Harry Bradford, Course Director
History
This is a wonderful short 12 minute choral masterpiece with a confusing heritage.
Here is an excellent version to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMzrOePPFhI
Giovanni Battista Draghi (1710 – 1736), was often referred to as Giovanni Battista Pergolesi rather than his real name. He died so very early of tuberculosis at the age of 26.
His most famous piece is STABAT MATER, composed in 1736. The work remained popular, becoming the most frequently printed musical work of the 18th century.
In 1910, it was decided that this Magnificat was written by Pergolesi. This is untrue.
It was in fact written by Francesco Durante (1684–1755) and the manuscript with his signature upon it lies in Naples. He was highly esteemed by his contemporaries, and even at the end of the 19th century he was still described in musical literature as “one of the greatest Italian church composers and composition teachers of all time.” Pergolesi was a pupil of his and this may be where the confusion originally arose.
Durante’s Magnificat in B flat major is undoubtedly one of his most important compositions and one of the most significant settings of this text in cantata form. It masterfully combines the traditional polyphonic notation with modern, early Classical elements.
Join us for:
Pergolesi/Durante
Course Director
Our teacher for this LIVE course will be Harry Bradford who lead us in Requiems by Brahms, Verdi, Durufle and Faure. He will lead us in learning, recording and performing this wonderful piece in LIVE sessions - not pre-recorded.
This was, in fact, the first piece Harry conducted when he was 17 years old.
Harry Bradford is a prize-winning conductor and choral director based in London. He recently graduated, with distinction, from the Royal Academy of Music where he studied for an MMus Degree under Patrick Russill and was awarded the Sir Thomas Armstrong prize for choral leadership, the LRAM diploma and the prestigious DipRAM award for an outstanding final recital. He has also participated in masterclasses with Paul Brough, Simon Halsey, David Hill, Neil Ferris, Mats Nilsson and Roland Börger. Alongside his commitments at the Academy, Harry was the Genesis Sixteen Conducting Scholar 2018-19 receiving mentoring from Harry Christophers CBE and Eamonn Dougan as well as holding the Alec Robertson Scholarship at Westminster Cathedral.
How it will work
The online course will be done in LIVE streaming as follows (all in UK Time):
Full Choir and welcome by Harry
Wednesday 19th May, 14:00 - 15:00: Bass Rehearsal 1
Thursday 20th May, 14:00 - 15:00: Alto Rehearsal 1
Friday 21st May, 14:00 - 15:00: Soprano Rehearsal 1, 15:30 - 16:30: Tenor Rehearsal 1
Monday 24th May, 17:30 - 18:30: Full Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday 26th May, 14:00 - 15:00: Bass Rehearsal 2
Thursday 27th May, 14:00 - 15:00: Alto Rehearsal 2
Friday 28th May, 14:00 - 15:00: Soprano Rehearsal 2, 15:30 - 16:30: Tenor Rehearsal 2, 17:00 - 17:15: Sing through of entire piece
Saturday 29th May: Recording submissions open
Tuesday 29th June: Recording submissions close
Friday 23rd July, 19:00: Concert Performance
Course Fee
The fee for the course is £35 and this covers:
All rehearsal sessions
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Online score, annotated by Harry Bradford
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Conducting tracks
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Sound engineers
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Premiere Concert
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Mosaic picture of full choir
