Shortly before his death, Giovanni Pergolesi moved to the Franciscan monastery in Pozzuoli, where he composed his last works. Among these is his Stabat Mater which reveals the infusion, into church composition, of the operaticstyle. Pergolesi's grand work features a lively declamation of the text and great melodic appeal and expressiveness. Underlying everything is the contrapuntal background that was expected in music composed for the church at thistime. The original version was for two soloists and small ensemble - this version has been arranged by Desmond Ratcliffe to include SATB chorus, organ and strings - but here the accompaniment is replaced by a piano reduction.
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