Composer

:

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1681

Publication Date

:

1681

Average_duration

:

1:41

Marc-Antoine Charpentier's 'Percé jusques au fond du coeur, H. 457' is a sacred vocal work composed in the 17th century. The piece was composed in 1689 and premiered in Paris, France. It is a part of Charpentier's larger body of work, which includes operas, ballets, and sacred music. 'Percé jusques au fond du coeur' is a three-movement work that features a solo soprano accompanied by a small ensemble of instruments. The first movement, 'Percé jusques au fond du coeur,' is a lamentation that expresses the sorrow and pain of the Virgin Mary at the crucifixion of her son, Jesus Christ. The second movement, 'O coeur de Jesus,' is a prayer to the heart of Jesus, asking for mercy and forgiveness. The final movement, 'O coeur tout aimant,' is a hymn of praise to the loving heart of Jesus. The piece is characterized by its emotional intensity and expressive melodies. Charpentier's use of dissonance and chromaticism creates a sense of tension and drama, while the use of ornamentation and melismatic passages adds a sense of virtuosity to the vocal line. The instrumentation is sparse, consisting of a bass viol, theorbo, and organ, which allows the soloist to shine. Overall, 'Percé jusques au fond du coeur' is a powerful and moving work that showcases Charpentier's skill as a composer of sacred music. Its emotional depth and expressive melodies make it a standout piece in the Baroque repertoire.

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