Cesario Gussago

Cesario Gussago (c. 1579 Ostiano ( between Cremona and Brescia); † around 1612) was an Italian organist and composer of the early Baroque.

Life

Cesario Gussago studied philosophy and theology in Pavia and received at the same time a sound musical education. In 1599 he was Vicar General of the Order of San Gerolamo in Brescia. In 1612 he became organist at the church of S. Madonna delle Grazie.

Gussago created four collections with vocal sacred works ( which are obtained from three ), in addition, he devoted himself to composing instrumental music. Among these works, especially his collection of sonatas of 1608 stands out, which is one of the oldest collections of its kind with its title. It contains both traditional works as well for double works in the style of Giovanni Gabrieli. The majority of Gussagos works consists of homophonic pieces, sporadically, he used the Gregorian chant. His psalms of 1610 consist of works for double. His last datable collection of 1612 contains three-part sacred works and is held in concertato style. The exact time and place of his death are not recorded, he may died in Brescia.

Works (selection)

• Sacrarum contionum per 8 voci e basso continuo (1604 )
• 28 Sonata a 4, 6, 8, con alcuni concerti a 8 con le sue symphony ( 1608). Like his contemporaries, he gave his sonatas sounding names, most of which were dedications to higher ranking individuals, such as " La Facca ", " La Porcellaga ", " La Leonova ," " La fontana ", " La New Ulm ", " La terza " ....
• 22 Psalmi ad vesperas per 8 voci e basso continuo (1610 )
• Sacrae laudes in christi Domini by 3 voci ( 1612 )
• 10 motets
• Laetentur coeli per 8 voci