Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

When Pergolesi died in 1736, aged just 26, he left one undoubted masterpiece (his Stabat Mater) and such a reputation that for the next two and a half centuries unsuccessful but ambitious composers tried to pass off their own work as that of Pergolesi. In this new performance Malcolm Bruno has tried to compile a work that Pergolesi might have written by using genuine fragments from the master's workshop. (Read Bruno’s notes for more.) Professional musicologists will spend many hours debating the merits and failings of this work. I would urge you to let them get on with it while we enjoy the performance. The soloists are Sophie Daneman and Noemi Kiss and both are wonderfully supported by the Choir of New College, Oxford and the Academy of Ancient Music all under the direction of Edward Higginbottom. What is it like? Imagine Mozart writing in the style of Handel. You can hear a sample at www.aam.co.uk

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