Composer

:

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

13:09

Marc-Antoine Charpentier's 'Troisième leçon de ténèbres du mercredi saint, H. 135' 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 'Leçons de ténèbres' were typically performed during Holy Week, and were intended to be a reflection on the suffering and death of Christ. The 'Troisième leçon de ténèbres du mercredi saint' was composed in 1680, and was first performed at the Royal Abbey of Sainte-Geneviève in Paris. The work is divided into three movements, each corresponding to a different section of the text from the Lamentations of Jeremiah. The first movement is a setting of the text "Aleph. Quomodo sedet sola civitas" ("How lonely sits the city"), and is characterized by its mournful and contemplative tone. The music is slow and somber, with long, sustained notes and a sense of melancholy throughout. The second movement sets the text "Beth. Plorans ploravit in nocte" ("She weeps bitterly in the night"), and is more dramatic and intense than the first. The music is faster and more complex, with intricate vocal lines and a sense of urgency and desperation. The final movement sets the text "Ghimel. Judah captiva est propter afflictionem multam" ("Judah has gone into captivity because of affliction"), and is the most hopeful and uplifting of the three. The music is brighter and more optimistic, with a sense of resolution and redemption. Overall, Charpentier's 'Troisième leçon de ténèbres du mercredi saint' is a powerful and moving work that captures the emotional intensity of Holy Week. Its use of vocal harmonies and intricate melodies creates a sense of depth and complexity, while its somber and mournful tone reflects the solemnity of the occasion.

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