Gioachino Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle was written in 1863, "the last", the composer called it, "of my pêchés de vieillesse" (sins of old age).
The witty composer, who produced little for public hearing during his long retirement at Passy, prefaced his mass—characterized, apocryphally by Napoleon III, as neither little nor solemn, nor particularly liturgical— with the words
"Good God—behold completed this poor little Mass—is it indeed sacred music [la musique sacrée] that I have just written, or merely some damned music [la sacré musique]? You know well, I was born for comic opera. Little science, a little heart, that is all. So may you be blessed, and grant me Paradise!"
At first listen, i dismissed it as a curiosity, but I've grown to enjoy the complete mass. I also like how unpretentious the piece is compared to other "sacred" compositions of the time. Much like Rossini's attempt at bargaining for "Paradise."
[note: if you're buying it, make sure you get the non-orchestra arrangement.]
Sometimes you wonder,e.g. the "Crucifixus", whether Rossini knew or cared what the words meant. But other moments are precious, like this "Agnus Dei"
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