Hyperion Records

Large amounts of music contained in the modern Opera omnia of Pergolesi (printed in Rome in 1939–1942) have since been proved to be by other composers. Indeed, of the 148 works in this edition, 69 are misattributions, 49 are questionable, and only 30 may be considered genuine! At the same time, a large number of works attributed to Pergolesi, some of which may be genuine, were omitted. Most of these genuine works are dramatic or sacred choral pieces, but also surviving are three antiphons for solo voice and strings.

Two of these are settings for soprano of the Salve regina—one in A minor, the other that in C minor, mentioned above. The A minor setting, with its supplicatory text, contains many of the hallmarks of the Stabat mater, including the same style of expressive sensibility, with the wistful sighing ‘Ad te suspiramus’ and a quite beautiful closing ‘O clemens’; but the work also contains contrasting music at the strong ‘Ad te clamamus’.

from notes by Robert King © 1988