C. Rossini – Missa Adeste Fideles
  • Does anyone know of a PDF score of Carlos Rossini's Missa "Adeste Fideles"? I have prowled the Web and found some very bad NoteWorthyComposer versions that omit the organ part, and a few Korean YouTube videos with scrolling (better) scores that suggest a usable scan may exist somewhere, but I have not been able to find it.

    I apologize if the piece is still under copyright; not having a score makes it impossible to know the relevant dates.
  • a_f_hawkins
    Posts: 3,471
    Missa "Adéste fidéles" : for S.A.A. or T.B.B. with organ: New York : J. Fischer & Bro., ©1944. Or in English published Fischer 1966 (2?3? voices), 1967 (SATB)
    Carlo Rossini (1890-1975), an Italian priest and composer, working in Pittsburgh, United States of America.
    So presumably still in copyright, but I can't find them available anywhere.
    OTOH the Propers are available on this CMAA site, and elsewhere.
    Thanked by 1PhilipJFillion
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    It's conceivable that the publisher might have neglected to renew the copyright on the 1944 edition when it was up for renewal in 1972; so if someone wanted to dig through the catalog of copyright entries for 1972 to look at the renewals for sheet music, that might lead to some useful information.
    Thanked by 1PhilipJFillion
  • a_f_hawkins
    Posts: 3,471
    Yes, renewed 2Aug72, R533992.
    Thanked by 1PhilipJFillion
  • dad29
    Posts: 2,232
    IIRC, current copyright law grants a maximum of 75 years, meaning that the item will be free in 2020 or so.
    Thanked by 1PhilipJFillion
  • Well, we can wait three years then and re-evaluate whether it merits rediscovery or should go sit in the corner with Mass of the Shepherds. Thanks to all.
    Thanked by 1StimsonInRehab
  • IIRC, current copyright law grants a maximum of 75 years, meaning that the item will be free in 2020 or so.


    Have you got a source for that?

    I'm no expert, but have seen many statements that no further American-published material will enter the public domain until 2023 - and many people expect legal changes before then to further protect material that is currently still copyright.
  • a_f_hawkins
    Posts: 3,471
    I think USA has 95 years, and 70 years from death of the author, so 2039 or 2045 (whichever is later). But I am neither expert nor resident of USA.
  • dad29
    Posts: 2,232
    Ha!! 95 years in this case. Thx, R Mix
  • I'd be interested to see this mass, too. Unless it's like that new ubiquitous mass based off of "O Come O Come Emmanuel". *shudder*
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    If it's not in print, it wouldn't hurt to ask the owner how to get a copy. They may be willing to copy something from their files and sell that to you.
    Thanked by 1CCooze
  • Here's a scan of the title page of the SATB version from 1944.
    Scan_051.pdf
    200K
  • a_f_hawkins
    Posts: 3,471
    I see this Mass has been used by the church of St Margaret Mary, Oakland, CA. One could try contacting the DM, David Sundahl.
    Towards the bottom of this page there are recordings they made in 2009. Personally I am not impressed by the SATB setting, perhaps the others are of use.
  • At St. Margaret Mary Church, we have sung Missa "Adeste Fideles" at one or more Christmas masses for several decades. It is popular with the choir and the congregation. But in as much as it is a copyrighted work, regrettably we are not able to make copies without permission of the copyright owner.
    Thanked by 1a_f_hawkins
  • a_f_hawkins
    Posts: 3,471
    It is though, deplorable if your law has been so written that it now frustrates the desire of the author, which in this case was to enhance the liturgy AMDG, as directed by Tra Le Sollicitudini.
    Thanked by 1Jeffrey Quick
  • In the US, Mickey Mouse outranks Pope St. Pius X. :-(
  • ronkrisman
    Posts: 1,394
    your law has been so written that it now frustrates the desire of the author, which in this case was to enhance the liturgy AMDG

    I would assume that all composers writing liturgical music have the good intention to enhance the Church's liturgy, even if they are so lacking in the craft of musical composition that they really should not be writing for the liturgy. I'm also convinced that Fr. Carlo Rossini composed for the glory of God. But I'm also convinced that he probably received the highest royalties of any Catholic composer in the USA (or was second only to Nicola Montani) during the years he was composing that music. I would also hazzard to guess that were he still alive today Fr. Rossini would be happily surprised that his Missa Adeste Fideles is still under copyright; I doubt that such would frustrate him or any desire he would have.

    There is nothing immoral or illegal about copyrighting one's intellectual properties or receiving royalty for the distribution of said properties.
    Thanked by 1dad29
  • I might be wrong, Father, but I don't believe AFH is railing against copyrights per se or the ability of the artist to receive royalties (justly) for his work. In this case, however, the music is out of print. I suspect AFH would be happy to purchase copies were they available... but is frustrated that there appear to be no options other than waiting until the middle of the century for a work that Fr. Rossini intended to be used AMDG to become public domain.
    Thanked by 1a_f_hawkins
  • ronkrisman
    Posts: 1,394
    incardination, you are quite right. Thank you.

    But let's not overlook the fact that someone (perhaps the Diocese of Pittsburgh, or a relative of Fr. Rossini) inherited his musical contracts when he died. And what that heir chooses to do (e.g., either demand that Carl Fischer or its successor make the Mass available for purchase - as it contracted with Fr. Rossini to do - or, desiring to be freed from that obligation, cede the copyright back to the heir so that said heir can determine how to provide for the future availability of the music, etc.) is the heir's business to pursue or not pursue, whether we like it or not.

    I'm sure this situation happens all the time with music still under copyright but out of print from a publisher with no plans to reprint it.
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    And what that heir chooses to do (e.g., either demand that Carl Fischer or its successor make the Mass available for purchase - as it contracted with Fr. Rossini to do - or, desiring to be freed from that obligation, cede the copyright back to the heir so that said heir can determine how to provide for the future availability of the music, etc.) is the heir's business to pursue or not pursue, whether we like it or not.

    Getting ready to buy a car, I am.
  • dad29
    Posts: 2,232
    Apparently the same problem--lack of heir's action--has kept the "Roger Wagner" arrangements out of print for quite some time, too. The heir was, at one time, selling cassettes of the Chorale's recordings, but they are not easy to get anymore; and CD's are not available, period, with a very few exceptions.
  • Philip,
    Regarding your enquiry: I borrowed the SATB+organ score via InterLibrary Loan back in 2012 (I am in the US) and scanned it for scholarship purposes (curiosity about polyphonic Mass settings based on carols, Christmas or otherwise--not that I am a practicing or publishing scholar, so it got set aside with many other things). Belwin-Mills bought J. Fischer (the correct publisher, not Carl Fischer) in 1970, so they would be the company with which to enquire about reprint-on-demand. I had some success with getting reprint permission a while ago (as in, perhaps a decade ago).

    (The manuscript is listed as part of the Library of Congress' "J. Fischer & Bro. Music Publishers Collection":
    http://rs5.loc.gov/service/music/eadxmlmusic/eadpdfmusic/2011/mu011007.pdf )
    Thanked by 1Jeffrey Quick