MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Perti: Grands Motets

Giacomo Antonio Perti (1661-1756) was the most important composer and representative of the Bolognese school at the beginning of the 18th century. From 1696 up until his death, he was conductor at the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna.

The great prince of Tuscany, Ferdinando III de'Medici, especially valued Perti and charged him with the composition of six operas, for his theatre near Florence, and six extensive motets for the birthday of his father Cosimo III. The operas unfortunately are lost, but the music for the motets survives, leaving us the legacy of this unique example of Italian Grand Motet. In this premiere recording Musica Fiorita chose three of the most representative motets out of the six, spanning the years 1704-1706. They demonstrate the full range of the available styles and instrumentation used by Perti. All the motets, except Gaudeamus omnes (which uses a different text), terminate with a lively and flamboyant fugue on the word Alleluia, an ideal wrapping of what would have been a grandiose and lavish liturgical celebration.