Composer

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Gregorian Chant

Genre

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Choral

Style

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Chant: Gregorian

Average_duration

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3:59

Tenebrae factae sunt, responsory is a Gregorian chant that is traditionally sung during the Holy Week, specifically on Maundy Thursday. The chant is a part of the Tenebrae service, which is a liturgical service that is held in the evening and is characterized by the gradual extinguishing of candles, symbolizing the darkness that descended upon the world after the death of Jesus Christ. The composition of Tenebrae factae sunt, responsory is attributed to an unknown composer from the medieval period. The chant is written in Latin and is characterized by its haunting melody and solemn tone. The chant is sung in a responsorial style, with a soloist singing the verses and the choir responding with a refrain. Tenebrae factae sunt, responsory is divided into three movements, each of which corresponds to the extinguishing of one of the candles during the Tenebrae service. The first movement is sung after the first candle is extinguished, the second after the second candle, and the third after the third candle. The first movement of Tenebrae factae sunt, responsory begins with the soloist singing the verse "Tenebrae factae sunt, dum crucifixissent Jesum Judaei" (Darkness fell upon the earth when the Jews crucified Jesus). The choir responds with the refrain "Et circa horam nonam exclamavit Jesus voce magna, dicens: Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?" (And at about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, saying: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?). The second movement begins with the soloist singing the verse "Caligaverunt oculi mei a fletu meo" (My eyes are darkened with weeping). The choir responds with the refrain "Et inclinato capite, emisit spiritum" (And with his head bowed, he gave up his spirit). The third movement begins with the soloist singing the verse "Sepulto Domino, signatum est monumentum" (When the Lord was buried, his tomb was sealed). The choir responds with the refrain "Et ponebant lapidem ad ostium monumenti" (And they placed a stone at the entrance to the tomb). Overall, Tenebrae factae sunt, responsory is a powerful and moving composition that captures the solemnity and sorrow of the Holy Week. Its haunting melody and solemn tone make it a fitting tribute to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and a reminder of the darkness that descended upon the world after his death.

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