who composed the best Stabat Mater?

[SSM]

I've only got one recording of a Stabat Mater - Pergolesi's. I revisited it this weekend and was quite moved by its understated beauty. The style is a bit like a baroque'd Faure.

Did some checking and it became apparent that a good many composers set the Stabat Mater to music too. Verdi (never knew), Rossini, Haydn, and Poulenc amongst others.

So which is the best Stabat Mater out there? I'm looking for a recording of the (non-believing) Verdi already... and have space for a couple more.

SS

[griffo104]

It's got to be the Pergolesi for me (not just because Ms Bartoli is on my version)

I do like the Dvorak one as well, the Verdi is too operatic for me and seems to miss the point, the vivaldi I have is also very beautiful.

[SSM]

One thumbs-up for Pergolesi then. The vocal writing for his Stabat Mater seems of excellent quality, imo. So poised and haunting.

But I look forward to hearing Verdi's. Not surprised that he is offering a chest-beating, hair-tearing treatment of the text, a la his Requiem.

btw just found this Pergolesi extract. A rapt account of the
Dolorosa


SS

[griffo104]

SSM wrote:

One thumbs-up for Pergolesi then. The vocal writing for his Stabat Mater seems of excellent quality, imo. So poised and haunting.

It was one of the first vocal pieces I ever bought - I never really got classical vocal music beforehand, but it's beauty moved me big time and turned me in to a convert.

[JANDL100]

Pergolesi? Yup.

But don't miss Vivaldi - also wonderfully beautiful!

[SSM]

Another affirmation that Pergolesi's is quality. Perhaps I needn't explore every one of the other Stabat Maters.

Checking Amazon: recordings of Verdi's S.M. are rare as hen's teeth. The Vivaldi has quite a few though. The James Bowman/AAM/Hogwood one looks interesting.


SS

[musicbox]

Pergolesi is no.1

Scarlatti no.2

Boccherini not too bad.

Szymanowski very good too.

Herbert Howells..... truly turgid. Given his other choral wporks this is a bit of a let down. Or maybe its just Gennadi Rozhdestvenky's performance that lets it down.

[Sine Nomine]

It is rather odd that a tradition should have formed around setting this particular medieval poem. There are umpteen of the things. But my vote would definitely go to the Szymanowski. A truly haunting piece that creates its own exotic spell. I would recommend Rattle on EMI. But it’s really only a taster for Szymanowski’s master piece, the opera King Roger. Now that certainly is a ‘must hear’. I absolutely guarantee that you’ll never get it out of your mind. Again Rattle on EMI is superb.

[JANDL100]

Also the Dvorak - especially the 1st half - some very wonderful music there (methnks he got a bit bored with it all - it's very long -and went into auto-drive for the 2nd half).

[SSM]

Pergolesi is easily leading. I'm just waiting for sacred music specialist Glens to weigh (heavily) in.


Perhaps the reason for the popularity of the Stabat Mater theme amongst composers is its "lyrics". They are simple, even terse, yet highly expressive of pious longing.


Not done Szymanowski's King Roger yet, Martin but look forward to the acquaintance someday since you have endorsed it so highly.
(No doubt tho', it's unlikely to be about Federer!)


SS

[JANDL100]

Well, I wouldn't get hung up on who's the "best" or most popular - there's lots of great music that's been mentioned that is well worth exploring if it's new to you.

[SSM]

Good point.
I guess I have been reading too many supertests in hifi mags. Ok, let's put this Stabat Mater Shootout on hold.


Unexplored music? Just checked the decomposers' almanac. Today is Andre Campra's birthday (who???) I see he has a Requiem and some French cantatas out. Maybe I'll try some for Xmas!

SS

[murray johnson]

Just played the Vivaldi one with James Bowman and the Academy of Ancient Music. I do like that.

The Pergolesi is on now (SXL 6153) soaring up the stairs.

Apples and Oranges, its hard to compare them.



(Both on nice, quiet 'pop' free old vinyl Jerry but with timbre & tone that CD can't dream of! )

[JANDL100]

murray johnson wrote:

(Both on nice, quiet 'pop' free old vinyl Jerry but with timbre & tone that CD can't dream of! )

:argue:

[oldfogey]

I listened to Scarlatti's last night on the 16's Scarlatti disc on Coro Iste Confessor, beautiful writing well sung and recorded.