Francesco Durante - Durante (LP)

Francesco Durante's self-titled album, 'Durante', is a masterful compilation of sacred music, released on 1 January 2003 under the Beaux Authentics label. This hour-long, two-minute musical journey is a testament to Durante's skill as a composer, featuring a range of intricate and emotive pieces.

The album is dominated by Durante's Requiem for 5 Soloists, 8-voice Mixed Double Choir and Orchestra, a sprawling work that encompasses multiple movements, including the Introitus, Kyrie, Graduale, Tractus, and Sequentia. Each section is meticulously crafted, showcasing Durante's ability to evoke powerful emotions through his music. The Sequentia, in particular, is a highlight, with its individual movements - Dies irae, Tuba mirum, Mors stupebit, Quid sum miser, Recordare, Quaerens me, Ingemisco, Preces meae, and Lacrimosa - demonstrating Durante's impressive range and depth.

In addition to the Requiem, the album also features Durante's Offertorium, with its beautiful movements, including Domine Jesu, Hostias, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, and Communio, as well as the stunning Lux Aeterna and Libera me. The album concludes with Durante's Magnificat for 4-voice Mixed Choir and Orchestra, a glorious piece that showcases the composer's skill at crafting uplifting, celestial music.

Throughout the album, Durante's music is characterised by its beauty, complexity, and emotional resonance, making 'Durante' a must-listen for fans of sacred music and classical composition. With its rich, intricate soundscapes and powerful performances, this album is a testament to Francesco Durante's enduring legacy as a composer of profound and moving music.