Composer

:

James MacMillan

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

19:21

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Tenebrae Responsories is a choral work composed by James MacMillan in 2006. It premiered on April 12, 2006, at St. John's Smith Square in London, performed by the choir of Westminster Cathedral under the direction of Martin Baker. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a text from the Tenebrae service, a Christian liturgy that takes place during Holy Week. The first movement, "In Monte Oliveti," is a setting of a text that describes Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. The music is characterized by a sense of tension and unease, with dissonant harmonies and jagged rhythms that reflect the emotional turmoil of the text. The choir sings in a hushed, almost whispered tone, creating a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. The second movement, "Tristis est anima mea," is a setting of a text that describes Jesus' sorrow at the prospect of his impending death. The music is slow and mournful, with long, sustained chords and a sense of heaviness and sadness. The choir sings in a rich, full-bodied tone, creating a sense of depth and resonance. The third movement, "Ecce quomodo moritur justus," is a setting of a text that describes the death of a righteous person. The music is characterized by a sense of awe and wonder, with soaring melodies and lush harmonies that reflect the majesty of the text. The choir sings with a sense of grandeur and power, creating a sense of transcendence and spiritual uplift. Overall, Tenebrae Responsories is a deeply moving and powerful work that reflects MacMillan's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the Christian liturgy. The music is characterized by a sense of emotional intensity and spiritual depth, and it is sure to resonate with audiences of all backgrounds and beliefs.

More....