Josep Pla
About the composer
Pla is the name of a Catalan family of oboists and composers. In the mid-18th century the three brothers Manuel, Joan Baptista and Josep were active as performing musicians and composers. The latter two travelled across Europe as oboe virtuosos, performing at various courts and concert halls. They made their appearance in the Concerts Spirituels in Paris where their playing was received with great enthusiasm. Most of the works from the Pla brothers have been kept in manuscripts that do not specify which of the three brothers is the composer of each composition. Josep died in 1762, coming back from a tour in Italy, aged 34.
About the Stabat Mater
| Date: | 1756 |
| Performers: | Soprano, Choir and Orchestra (string ensemble, two horns and organ as Basso Continuo) |
| Length: | 19.05 minutes |
| Particulars: | The Josep Pla Stabat Mater is the only work of this cd that can exclusively be attributed to him (the remaining instrumental pieces are known only as by “Signor Pla,” which makes authorship difficult). The composition has been influenced by Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. Pla structured the different stanzas as independent musical forms with rhythm, key, and tempo contrasts. Some stanzas (3, 4 and 5) are treated as an accompanied recitative. |
| Textual variations: | The text according to "Analecta" is used, but only the first ten stanzas are sung. |
| Colour bar: |
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Information about the recording
| CD: | La Ma de Guido, LMG2106: Manual i Josep Pla, Música Religiosa a Solo |
| More info: | This recording is a clear attempt in Barcelona to rectify the anonymity of the Pla brothers. The compositions presents works that represent both their compositional talents and the patrimony of Catalan music that is slowly beginning to emerge from its two-century slumber (and of course the notes are both in Catalan and Spanish, as if to say that these are two very different heritages!). Mr. Fré Thissen pointed me to this recording and he was so kind to send the cd to me. |
| Orchestra: | Orquestra Barocca Catalana |
| Conductor: | Olivia Centurioni |
| Soloists: | Raquel Andueza, soprano |
| Other works: | Manuel? Pla: |
| Code: | 2013 PLA-01 (246) |
