Composer

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Gregorian Chant

Genre

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Choral

Style

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Choral

Average_duration

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3:17

"Omnes amici mei derelinquerunt me" is a Gregorian chant that is part of the liturgy of the Holy Week. It is a lamentation that expresses the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples during his Passion. The text is taken from Psalm 88:9, which reads "My friends and companions have abandoned me." The chant is believed to have been composed in the 9th century, and it has been an integral part of the Holy Week liturgy since then. It is traditionally sung on Holy Wednesday, during the Tenebrae service, which is a service of darkness that commemorates the suffering and death of Jesus. The chant is divided into three movements, each of which is sung by a different voice or choir. The first movement is sung by a soloist, who sings the opening phrase "Omnes amici mei derelinquerunt me" (All my friends have abandoned me). The second movement is sung by a choir, which repeats the phrase and adds the text "et praevaluerunt adversum me" (and my enemies have prevailed against me). The third movement is sung by another choir, which repeats the phrase and adds the text "terribilia passus sum" (I have suffered terrible things). The chant is characterized by its mournful melody and its use of dissonance and chromaticism. The melody is simple and repetitive, with a descending line that emphasizes the sadness and despair of the text. The use of dissonance and chromaticism adds to the emotional intensity of the chant, creating a sense of tension and unease. Overall, "Omnes amici mei derelinquerunt me" is a powerful expression of the human experience of abandonment and suffering, and it continues to be a meaningful part of the Holy Week liturgy to this day.

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