Pergolesi Year 2010 celebrates the birth 300 years ago of a first rank composer. Had Pergolesi not died young, his name would rank among the most stellar and influential of Italy’s 18th-century composers. Despite the brevity of his life – he died at 26 – Pergolesi created numerous deathless works.

The special edition comprising the three albums comes in a nice hardcover booklet and is an ideal gift for the festive season. As an extra the combined booklet contains all texts in Italian, additional images, and a Pergolesi timeline.

The Stabat Mater album released in August 2009 got excellent reviews in the international press. Characteristic are these comments in The Times: “Abbado’s commitment to period style is never in doubt . . . He has exceptional soloists: Rachel Harnisch and Sara Mingardo in the Stabat, ravishing in the harmonic suspensions of their duets; a lovely toned Julia Kleiter in the Salve; and the exemplary Giuliano Carmignola in the rarely recorded Violin Concerto, a little masterpiece, all but forgotten by the mainstream.”

Pergolesi’s church music is distinguished not just by lively declamation of the text but by the melodic charm of the solo sections, which contrast richly to the choral passages. Abbado’s passion for this music meets these sacred compositions on the exalted level where they were composed

The Dixit Dominus, Salve Regina in A minor, Confitebor tibi, Domine, and Chi non ode e chi non vede are recorded live.

Artists

Rachel Harnisch (soprano) & Sara Mingardo (contralto), Giuliano Carmignola (violin), Sara Mingardo, Veronica Cangemi & Teresa Romano, Rachel Harnisch (soprano), Julia Kleiter (soprano), Rosa Bove (contralto) & Lucio Gallo (baritone)

Orchestra Mozart, Coro della Radiotelevisione Svizzera, Claudio Abbado