Composer

:

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1680

Average_duration

:

12:19

Marc-Antoine Charpentier's 'Troisième leçon de ténèbres du mercredi saint, H. 98' is a sacred vocal work composed in the 17th century. It was written for three solo voices and continuo, and is part of a larger collection of works known as the 'Leçons de ténèbres'. The piece was composed in 1680 and premiered in Paris during Holy Week of the same year. The 'Troisième leçon de ténèbres' is divided into three movements, each corresponding to a different section of the text. The first movement is a setting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, which describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of its people. The second movement is a setting of Psalm 50, which calls for repentance and forgiveness. The final movement is a setting of the Gospel of Matthew, which recounts the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. The characteristics of Charpentier's 'Troisième leçon de ténèbres' are typical of the Baroque era. The vocal lines are highly ornamented, with intricate melodic lines and complex harmonies. The use of dissonance and chromaticism creates a sense of tension and drama, reflecting the somber mood of the text. The continuo provides a rich and varied accompaniment, with frequent use of suspensions and other harmonic devices. Overall, Charpentier's 'Troisième leçon de ténèbres' is a powerful and moving work that captures the solemnity and sorrow of Holy Week. Its intricate vocal lines and complex harmonies make it a challenging piece for performers, but also a rewarding one for those who appreciate the beauty and complexity of Baroque music.

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