Rossini, better known for his comic operas, wrote this Petite messe solennelle in his later years. He had been living in Italy for many years, but returning to Paris, wrote many compositions including this mass. It is in fact neither 'little' nor 'solemn', but vibrant and lively! Just what we expect from a Rossini composition.
The work, for chorus and 4 soloists, was originally written with the accompaniment of harmonium and two pianos, which is how you will hear it in this concert. Rossini later scored it for full orchestra, which was first performed on the 78th anniversary of the composer's birth (he was born on 29th February in a leap year!)
The contralto voice was Rossini's favourite and he features this in his final movement, Agnes Dei, bringing the work to a dramatic close.
Our two pianists will also treat us to Mozart's Sonata in D for 2 pianos, which the composer wrote when he was only 25 years old. This composition, more than any other by Mozart, has been the focus of much research on the 'Mozart effect'. The piece has been shown to have a positive effect on cognitive brain functions