Composer

:

Dominique Vellard

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1999

Average_duration

:

12:29

Movement_count

:

7

Movement ....

"Les sept dernières paroles du Christ en Croix" is a musical composition by Dominique Vellard, a French composer, singer, and musicologist. The piece was composed in 1993 and premiered in the same year in the Basilica of Saint-Denis, France. The composition is divided into seven movements, each representing one of the last seven phrases spoken by Jesus Christ on the cross. The movements are titled as follows: 1. "Père, pardonne-leur, ils ne savent pas ce qu'ils font" (Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do) 2. "Aujourd'hui, tu seras avec moi dans le paradis" (Today, you will be with me in paradise) 3. "Femme, voici ton fils... Voici ta mère" (Woman, behold your son... Behold your mother) 4. "Mon Dieu, mon Dieu, pourquoi m'as-tu abandonné?" (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?) 5. "J'ai soif" (I thirst) 6. "Tout est accompli" (It is finished) 7. "Père, entre tes mains, je remets mon esprit" (Father, into your hands I commend my spirit) The composition is characterized by its simplicity and meditative quality. Vellard employs a minimalist approach, using only a small ensemble of voices and instruments to create a hauntingly beautiful soundscape. The vocal parts are often sung in unison or simple harmonies, with occasional moments of polyphony. The instrumental accompaniment consists of a viola da gamba, a theorbo, and a percussion instrument called a cajón. Overall, "Les sept dernières paroles du Christ en Croix" is a deeply moving and contemplative work that invites the listener to reflect on the profound spiritual significance of Christ's final words.

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