Composer

:

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Oratorio

Compose Date

:

1681 - 1682

Average_duration

:

36:31

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Mors Saülis et Jonathae, histoire sacrée, H. 403 is a sacred work composed by Marc-Antoine Charpentier in 1675. It was premiered in the chapel of the Hôtel de Guise in Paris. The work is divided into six movements, each depicting a different scene from the biblical story of Saul and Jonathan. The first movement, "Prélude," sets the tone for the work with its mournful and somber melody. The second movement, "Chœur," features a chorus mourning the death of Saul and Jonathan. The third movement, "Récit," is a solo recitative sung by David, who laments the loss of his friend Jonathan. The fourth movement, "Air," is another solo sung by David, in which he expresses his grief and sorrow. The fifth movement, "Récit," is a duet between David and a priest, who offers words of comfort and hope. The final movement, "Chœur," is a reprise of the opening chorus, but with a more hopeful and uplifting tone. The work is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and unease. Charpentier also employs a variety of textures, from the dense and complex choral writing in the opening and closing movements to the sparse and intimate solo recitatives. The work is notable for its emotional depth and expressive power, which make it a powerful and moving tribute to the biblical story of Saul and Jonathan.

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