Giovanni Giorgi (late 17th or early 18th century –
1762) was a priest and an Italian composer. His style
of polychoral church compositions are influenced by
earlier Roman School composers such as Orazio Benevoli,
but also incorporate later Roman Baroque features and
(after about 1758) some elements of early Classical
style. He is reputed to have originated from Venice,
but few details of his life are known. In 1719 he was
appointed maestro di cappella at the papal Basilica of
St. John Lateran,...(+)
Giovanni Giorgi (late 17th or early 18th century –
1762) was a priest and an Italian composer. His style
of polychoral church compositions are influenced by
earlier Roman School composers such as Orazio Benevoli,
but also incorporate later Roman Baroque features and
(after about 1758) some elements of early Classical
style. He is reputed to have originated from Venice,
but few details of his life are known. In 1719 he was
appointed maestro di cappella at the papal Basilica of
St. John Lateran, Rome, in succession to Giuseppe
Ottavio Pitoni. Many of Giorgi's early compositions
were written during his time in Rome.
Many Portuguese records were lost in the 1755 Lisbon
earthquake, but in Giorgi's case around 600
compositions have been preserved both in the Lateran
archives in Rome and at Lisbon Cathedral. Most are
vocal works and many are for liturgical use.
Some—particularly the later works—incorporate
concerted instrumental parts. By January 1725 he was in
Lisbon where he took up the post of court mestre de
capela. He died in Lisbon in 1762.
Nunc dimittis (Now you may dismiss) are the opening
words of Simeon's song of praise on the occasion of the
presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple. After
seeing Jesus, Simeon joyfully proclaims that he has
seen God's salvation. Simeon had been promised by the
Holy Spirit that he would not die without seeing the
Saviour. Source of text: Luke 2:29-31; usually followed
by the minor doxology Gloria Patri.
In the Church of England, the Book of Common Prayer
combined the offices of Vespers and Compline,
stipulating that both the Magnificat and the Nunc
dimittis be sung at Evening Prayer. For this reason,
the Nunc dimittis is often found set to music in a pair
with the Magnificat (see Category:Evening Canticles).
In the traditional Roman rite, the Nunc dimittis also
forms the Tract for Mass of the Presentation in the
season after Septuagesima
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Giorgi_(compose
r)).
Although originally written for Double Choir
(SSAATTBB), I created this interpretation of the "Salmo
Nunc Dimittis" (Now you may dismiss) for Winds (Flute,
Oboe, Bb Clarinet, French Horn & Bassoon) & Strings (2
Violins, Viola & Cello).
PARTITION