Puccini: Messa di Gloria, etc.

1	Preludio Sinfonico
2	Messa di Gloria in A flat
3	Messa di Gloria in A flat
4	Messa di Gloria in A flat
5	Messa di Gloria in A flat
6	Messa di Gloria in A flat
7	Messa di Gloria in A flat
8	Messa di Gloria in A flat
9	Messa di Gloria in A flat
10	Messa di Gloria in A flat
11	Messa di Gloria in A flat
12	Messa di Gloria in A flat
13	Messa di Gloria in A flat
14	Messa di Gloria in A flat
15	Messa di Gloria in A flat
16	Messa di Gloria in A flat
17	Messa di Gloria in A flat
18	Crisantemi "Elegy"
Puccini: Messa di Gloria, etc.
1.	Preludio sinfonico, for orchestra in A major 8:47
	Composed by Giacomo Puccini
	Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
	Conducted by Antonio Pappano
2.	Mass for tenor, baritone, bass, chorus & orchestra in A flat major ("Messa di gloria") 44:58
	Composed by Giacomo Puccini
	Performed by Roberto Alagna, Thomas Hampson, London Symphony Chorus and London Symphony Orchestra
	Conducted by Antonio Pappano
3.	Crisantemi (Chrysanthemums), elegy for string quartet: for string orchestra 7:01
	Composed by Giacomo Puccini
	Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
	Conducted by Antonio Pappano
	Additional Notes: arranged for string orchestra

Barnes & Noble

Puccini's Messa di Gloria (1880) is an impressive work, especially coming from the pen of a 22-year-old. Whether or not you will hear foreshadowings of the mature Puccini, is difficult to say. The composer later recycled some of the themes in his operas, but while there is plenty of dramatic music here, the overall style is not really operatic. There is charm, too, as in the gently swinging rhythm of the Gloria's opening phrases. Antonio Pappano directs a performance that is both incisive and warmhearted. The London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra are in top form, and tenor Roberto Alagna and baritone Thomas Hampson lend star power to their brief but important solos. Two other early works round out the program: the vaguely Wagnerian Preludio Sinfonica from 1882 (Puccini's first published composition) and the sorrowful Crisantemi (Chrysanthemums), whose themes would later reappear in the final act of Manon Lescaut. All of these works have been recorded before, but never with such conviction. Terrific sound quality, too. Andrew Farach-Colton

International Record Review

[Puccini's] piece merits a performance as good as this one. The London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra perform beautifully for Antonio Pappano, who achieves a naturally expressive ebb and flow without distorted exaggeration.... A very satisfying disc. Stephen Pruslin