Charles Gounod

Chants sacrés. 20 Motets latins

Charles Gounod, the 200th anniversary of whose birth falls in 2018, is known above all for his operas - Faust, Sapho, Roméo et Juliette etc. But throughout his life Gounod was also a very religious man. As winner of the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1839, he spent an extended period in the Holy City and subsequently devoted several years exclusively to writing sacred music. For a time he even thought of becoming a priest and signed his letters 'Abbé Ch. Gounod'. As well as several masses - including the famous St Cecilia Mass - he composed numerous smaller works for various scorings for use in the liturgy and other church services. This collection contains 20 smaller sacred motets for 4-6-part mixed choir with organ or piano accompaniment, mostly ad libitum.