Terenzio Zardini was a Franciscan friar minor and prolific composer whose
output amounted to more than 2,000 works that are still being catalogued. As
you might expect, most of these are sacred and liturgical works, and the
Messa in Simplicitate for choir and organ spread throughout this
programme is emblematic of this aspect of his productivity. Zardini’s music
is part of a continuing tradition but is by no means static in its
‘traditional’ nature, absorbing influences of new music coming from the
generazione dell’ottanta or generation of the eighties. One of his
teachers, Gabriele Bianchi, was student of Francesco Malipiero, so lines of
musical descent can be traced without too much difficulty.
I’m a big fan of Olivier Messiaen, and when sampling bits of this CD
online I was attracted to it for similar reasons I like Messiaen’s organ
music. There’s a spiritual wealth and sense of optimistic lightness as well
as all of those liturgical dramas which make for fertile ground. It’s hard
to ignore the French tradition when it comes to organ music, and Zardini was
clearly aware of Messiaen in his invention of personal tonalities. There are
some echoes of this in a style that at times has fragrances of Dupré,
Duruflé and others, but you are always aware that there is a different mind
at work.
La Pieve di Cascina is subtitled
Impressione per
organo and is full off eccentric touches such as the addition of
chimes. Modality and a sense of close ecclesiastical feeling are shared
characteristics in the smaller pieces such as the
Meditazione
serafica, the gentle
Interludi and the opening of the
Corale sull'inno natalizio “A solis ortus cardine” which
develops a considerable head of steam, while the more dramatic
Fantasia
sul Do even has some swinging syncopations. This is by no means a
monotone selection, and there is surprise in the sheer variety and
expressive range on offer here.
Most substantial of the organ works is the
Sonata 1, a
magnificent and ambitiously wide-ranging three-movement work that fully
explores the colour and depth of the organ as well as developing some
remarkable musical edifices. Technique aplenty is on show here, but not in a
dry and academic way. Zardini is quite capable of throwing in moments of fun
and wit even where the works are being taken on as far a journey as
possible.
As its name implies, the
Messa in Simplicitate is a gentle and
expressive Mass setting with an archaic feel in its use of modal
quasi-plainchant and open textures, allied to a Romantic melodic charm. The
women’s choir performing these movements is not the best in the world, but
the music is adequately delivered and would be the kind of liturgical and
even concert piece with wide usefulness. As a bonus we also get the lovely
little
Minuetto for orchestra recorded live in the presence of the
composer — a moment of tranquillity and atmospheric eloquence given a fine
showing in this performance, which is rounded off with a brief pattering of
applause.
I picked this CD for review suspecting I would like it, and I am glad to
report being proven correct in my instinct. The best of the organ works are
very fine indeed, and all are given superb performances by Pier Damiano
Peretti. The
Messa is less musically interesting but still an
intriguing discovery, and the addition of the
Minuetto seems to fit
well despite being a bit of an odd man out in terms of the programme as a
whole. Well recorded, this is a tasty selection of quality music by a name
who will be new to most of us, and I recommend its Italian warmth and
sincerity.
Dominy Clements
