Bremer RathsChor: "Petite Messe solennelle" von Rossini & "Lux Aeterna" von Morten Lauridsen

The Petite Messe solennelle was composed in 1863 and is considered to be the most important work of Rossini's last phase of work and one of his most important sacred compositions. The mass has the length and content of a Missa solemnis, but was nevertheless given the attribute petite ("small") by the composer. Rossini wrote in an ironic dedication: "Dear God. Here it is, the poor little mass. Have I really made sacred music (musique sacrée), or have I made sacrilegious music (sacrée musique)? I was born for opera buffa. You know it well! A little skill, a little heart, that's all. So be praised and grant me paradise."

Lux Aeterna is a five-movement choral work by the American composer Morten Lauridsen from 1997. It is written for four to seven-part mixed choir and chamber orchestra - we perform the version with organ or piano accompaniment.