Composer

:

Carlo Gesualdo

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Collection

Compose Date

:

1611

Publication Date

:

1611

Average_duration

:

37:23

Movement_count

:

9

Movement ....

Carlo Gesualdo's 'Responsories (9) for Holy Saturday' is a collection of nine pieces of sacred music that were composed in the late 16th century. The work was written for the Catholic liturgy of Holy Saturday, which is the day before Easter Sunday. The 'Responsories' are a series of chants that are sung during the Tenebrae service, which is a solemn service that commemorates the death of Jesus Christ. The 'Responsories' were composed in 1611, and they were first performed in Gesualdo's private chapel in his castle in Naples. The work was later published in 1611 in Venice. The 'Responsories' are written for five voices, and they are characterized by their complex harmonies and chromaticism. Gesualdo was known for his use of chromaticism, which was a departure from the traditional tonal system of the time. The 'Responsories' are divided into nine movements, each of which corresponds to a different part of the Tenebrae service. The first movement, 'In monte Oliveti', is a setting of the text from the Gospel of Matthew that describes Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. The second movement, 'Tristis est anima mea', is a setting of the text from the Gospel of Matthew that describes Jesus' sorrowful state of mind before his arrest. The third movement, 'Ecce vidimus eum', is a setting of the text from the Book of Lamentations that describes the suffering of the people of Jerusalem. The fourth movement, 'Amicus meus', is a setting of the text from the Gospel of Matthew that describes Judas' betrayal of Jesus. The fifth movement, 'Judas mercator pessimus', is a setting of a medieval poem that describes Judas' betrayal of Jesus. The sixth movement, 'Unus ex discipulis meis', is a setting of the text from the Gospel of John that describes Jesus' prediction of his betrayal. The seventh movement, 'Eram quasi agnus', is a setting of the text from the Book of Isaiah that describes the suffering of the innocent. The eighth movement, 'Una hora', is a setting of the text from the Gospel of Matthew that describes Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. The final movement, 'Sepulto Domino', is a setting of the text from the Gospel of Matthew that describes the burial of Jesus. Overall, the 'Responsories (9) for Holy Saturday' is a complex and emotionally charged work that reflects Gesualdo's unique style and his deep religious devotion. The work is still performed today and is considered to be one of the most important works of sacred music from the late Renaissance period.

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