Joan Rossell Explained

Joan Rossell (1724–1780) was a Spanish composer, born into a musical family in Barcelona where his grandfather had played in the chapel of the cathedral, his father was a singer, and his brothers played violin the best orchestras of the country. In 1748 he became maestro de capilla at the Palacio Real de La Almudaina/Royal Palace of La Almudaina and later had the same position at the Cathedral of Toledo, where he was succeeded by another Catalan, Francesc Juncà (1742–1833).^[1] In his youth, Rossell composed in the style of the Spanish baroque, but in Mallorca he increasingly adopted the modern, gallant style.

Works, editions, recordings

• Third Lamentation for Holy Thursday. With works by Francisco Valls, Tomàs Milans Zarzuela al Santísimo, Antonio Literes, Josep Carcoler. Mapa Harmónico dir. Francesc Bonastre. Columna Musica 2005.
• Salve Regina for soprano and contralto. Orquestra de Cambra Catalana, Label: La mà de guido (2007)^[2] and Ensemble Resonanz, Label: harmonia mundi (2021).^[3] Until the late 20th century this work had been attributed to Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. English music publisher Robert Bremner (after editing it slightly himself) sold it as a supposed composition by Pergolesi.

Notes and References

1. Música universal Josep Maria Gregori i Cifré - 2002 "En aquest període, el magisteri de la catedral de Toledo és successivament a mans de dos catalans. Joan Rossell (1724-1780) i Francesc Juncà (1742-1833), aquest darrer un excel·lent compositor encara .."
2. http://www.lamadeguido.com/book2083.pdf LMG2083 CD-booklet
3. https://www.ensembleresonanz.com/record/pergolesi-stabat-mater/ ensembleresonanz.com | Pergolesi - Stabat Mater