Clementoni: Organ Works / Missa Jubilaris

This world premiere presents the rediscovery of the composer Arturo Clementoni, who served as a bandmaster and organist in Ascoli Piceno during the first two decades of the 20th century. The documents detailing his work paint a picture of a man who lived and worked entirely within the rich, vibrant musical scene of his hometown, loved and respected by his fellow citizens, and also esteemed by the great musical figures of his time. For his compositional work, he received numerous awards, including first prize for his “Missa Jubilaris” in a composition competition announced in 1950 (the year declared Holy Year by Pope Pius XII) by Carrara from Bergamo, the most important Italian publisher of sacred and liturgical music at the time. The life and work of Arturo Clementoni fit perfectly into the artistic and cultural current of the Cecilian Movement, whose ideals and rules were officially sanctioned by Pope Pius X’s motu proprio “Inter plurimas pastoralis officii sollicitudines” on November 22, 1903. The symphonic chorale “Cristo risusciti” is undoubtedly a highlight among Clementoni’s known works to date and deserves serious rediscovery due to its quality and breadth in the context of major 20th-century European organ music. The “Missa Jubilaris” impresses with its spirituality and its successful blend of echoes of Gregorian music, a solid polyphonic framework, and symphonic energy. Giuseppe Monari is heard at the organ, and the Vox Poetica Ensemble sings. The musical direction is by Lorenzo Chiacchiera.