Lorenzo Gatt (1856-1926) : a mass service (proper and ordinary) for a solemn occasion : a critical edition and analysis

Abstract

The dissertation entails a study about the Maltese composer Lorenzo Gatt (1856-1926), and a full Mass Service. This study starts with a concise view on Church Music in Malta during Gatt’s time, outlining the principal factors that shaped sacred music from the late-nineteenth century to the first decades of the twentieth century. It is followed by a short biography of the composer, shedding new light on his contribution to music in general. An analysis of Lorenzo Gatt’s style and his compositional techniques, as seen in his selected 1925 Mass, treats themes, rhythm, harmony, orchestration, texture and word painting in some detail. The aim objective of this chapter is to portray important thematic and harmonic resources that make his work significant. The Mass by Lorenzo Gatt will also be compared with other settings by two Maltese composers of the same period, namely Luigi Vella (1868-1950): Mass in F (ACM, Mus. Ms. 1232) of 1913; and Giuseppe Caruana (1880-1931): Mass in B flat (ACM, Mus. Ms. 1868) of 1916. The main focus will be Gatt’s compositional style which will be examined in the light of these works – these are discussed in chapter four. A Critical Edition, comprising a General Preface, a computed transcription of the Mass by Lorenzo Gatt, Critical Notes and a Critical Commentary, is given in chapter five. The conclusion chapter explains how the overall planning of the work, which is characterised by melodic, harmonic, rhythmic consistencies and resourcefulness, are all integral to Gatt’s compositional style. Any influences in Gatt’s music that may have come through the works of the composers analysed in chapter four will be summarised here, too. The ultimate aim is to identify Lorenzo Gatt’s contribution to the national musical heritage.