Composer

:

Robert White

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Lamentation

Average_duration

:

20:47

The 'Lamentations of Jeremiah for 5 voices' is a choral work composed by Robert White, an English composer of the Renaissance period. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1580, and was first performed in the Chapel Royal of Queen Elizabeth I. The work is divided into five movements, each corresponding to a different chapter of the biblical book of Lamentations. The text of the piece is in Latin and is a setting of the lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah over the destruction of Jerusalem. The first movement, "Incipit Lamentatio," begins with a mournful and somber tone, setting the stage for the rest of the piece. The second movement, "Aleph," is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which creates a sense of tension and unease. The third movement, "Beth," is more subdued and contemplative, with a focus on the text and its meaning. The fourth movement, "Ghimel," is the most complex and intricate of the five, with intricate polyphony and a sense of urgency and desperation. The final movement, "Heth," is a return to the mournful and somber tone of the first movement, bringing the piece to a close with a sense of finality and resignation. Overall, the 'Lamentations of Jeremiah for 5 voices' is a powerful and emotional work that showcases White's skill as a composer. Its use of dissonance, chromaticism, and intricate polyphony create a sense of tension and urgency that perfectly captures the lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah.

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