Francesco Durante (1684-1755)
The music of Francesco Durante is distinguished among his Neapolitan contemporaries in one rather significant aspect: he composed no operas. The fact that his output is comprised almost exclusively of liturgical music and pedagogical pieces (partimenti and solfeggi) illuminates Durante’s reputation as one of the most influential and revered maestri of the Neapolitan school.
Upon the death of his father in 1699, Durante entered the Conservatorio di St. Onofrio, where his uncle, Don Angelo Durante, was primo maestro. He completed his studies there in 1705. Little is known about his life between that time and 1728, when he was appointed primo maestro at the Conservatorio dei Poveri di Gesù Christo. He would hold this post for ten years, after which he served as primo maestro at St. Maria di Loreto beginning in 1742 and St. Onofrio beginning in 1745.
Alma Redemptoris Mater, 1739
Motet for Basso solo and strings
Marian antiphon set for solo bass voice with string accompaniment (no organ). Approximately 11 minutes in length.
I. Alma redemptoris Mater (4:30); II. Tuum sanctum genitorum (3:15);
III. Sumens illud Ave (3:00)
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Orchestral Score: $35.00
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Vocal Score: $15.00
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Set of Parts: $20.00
Confitebor, 1744
Motet for Contralto solo and strings
Psalm 111 set for solo contralto voice with string and continuo accompaniment. Approximately 20 minutes in length.
I. Confitebor tibi, Donine (2:45); II. Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum (4:15); III. Ut det illis herediatatem gentium (2:30); IV. Redemptionem misit Dominus (2:33); V. Intellectus bonus omnibus (3:15); VI. Gloria Patri et Filio (2:15);
VII. Sicut erat in principio (2:30)
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Orchestral Score: $35.00
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Vocal Score: $15.00
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Set of Parts: $20.00
Litanie a Quattro Voci, c. 1750
Soli or Chorus, SATB; violins and continuo
Loredo Litany set for solo voices or chorus, SATB, with violins, bassi, and continuo. Approximately 10 minutes in length.
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Orchestral Score: $35.00
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Vocal Score: $5.50
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Set of Parts: $20.00
Messa a Quattro
Voci con Strumenti
Soli, chorus;
winds, strings, continuo
Concerted Neapolitan Mass setting (Kyrie and Gloria) for four soloists, SATB Chorus, 2 oboes, 2 trumpets, strings, and continuo. Approximately 27 minutes in length.
I. Solo e Coro, Kyrie eleison (2:35); II. Coro, Christe eleison (3:00); III. Soli e Coro, Gloria in excelsis Deo (3:25); IV. Canto, Gratias agimus tibi (2:45); V. Alto, Domine Deus (3:15); VI. Soli e Coro, Qui tollis peccata mundi (2:45); VII. Tenore, Qui tollis peccata mundi (2:15); VIII. Soli e Coro, Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris (1:30); IX. Basso, Quoniam to solus sanctus (2:15); X. Coro, Cum Sancto Spiritu (3:00)
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Orchestral Score: $65.00
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Vocal Score: $9.00
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Set of Parts: $45.00
Salve Regina, 1739
Motet for Basso solo, bassons, and strings
Marian antiphon set for solo bass voice with obbligato bassoons, strings, and continuo. Approximately 11 minutes in length.
I. Salve Regina (3:45); II. Eja ergo, Advocata nostra (2:15); III. Et Jesum, benedictum fructum (3:00); O clemens, O pia (1:30)
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Orchestral Score: $35.00
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Vocal Score: $15.00
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Set of Parts: $20.00
Vespro Breve
Soli or Chorus, SATB; violins and continuo
Short Vesper setting (no Laudate Dominum) scored for Soli or Coro SATB, 2 violins, and continuo.
I. Dixit Dominus (3:15); II. Confitebor (4:45); III. Beatus vir (5:00); IV. Laudate pueri (2:30); V. Magnificat (4:45)
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Orchestral Score: $35.00
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Vocal Score: $8.00
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Set of Parts: $20.00