Alessandro Scarlatti: Responsories for Holy Week

This programme ist not a reconstruction of a liturgical service, but a logical sequence of responsories (= sacred musical work sung responsorially, that is, with a cantor or small group singing verses while the whole choir or congregation respond with a refrain) which where all composed by Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725) for the Holy Saturday, the day/night before easter. They all recall the profound religious spirit of easter.

The responsories on the album alternate with motets, meditational organ and orchestral music by the same composer.

The music was discovered in the library of the Bologna Accademia Filarmonica and transcribed by the chorus' director, Sergio Balestracci.

Alessandro Scarlatti was an Italian Baroque composer, especially famous for his operas and chamber cantatas. He is considered the founder of the Neapolitan school of opera. He was the father of two other famous composers, Domenico Scarlatti and Pietro Filippo Scarlatti.