Composer

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Gregorian Chant

Genre

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Choral

Style

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Choral

Average_duration

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3:17

"Dolorosa et lacrimabilis es" is a Gregorian chant that is traditionally sung during Holy Week, specifically on Good Friday. The chant is a lamentation that expresses the sorrow and grief felt by the Virgin Mary as she witnessed the crucifixion of her son, Jesus Christ. The composition of "Dolorosa et lacrimabilis es" is believed to date back to the early Middle Ages, although the exact date of its creation is unknown. The chant is part of the larger body of Gregorian chant, which was developed by the Catholic Church in the medieval period as a way to enhance the liturgy and create a sense of spiritual transcendence. The chant is typically performed in a slow, mournful tempo, with a single voice singing the melody. The text of the chant is in Latin and is divided into several movements, each of which expresses a different aspect of Mary's grief. The first movement begins with the words "Dolorosa et lacrimabilis es, Virgo Maria," which translate to "You are sorrowful and tearful, Virgin Mary." This movement sets the tone for the rest of the chant, establishing the theme of Mary's grief and sorrow. The second movement focuses on Mary's physical and emotional pain, with the words "Quis non posset contristari, Christi Matrem contemplari dolentem cum Filio?" which translate to "Who could not be saddened to see the Mother of Christ suffering with her Son?" The third movement expresses Mary's sense of abandonment and despair, with the words "O quam tristis et afflicta fuit anima mea, dum Christus in cruce pependit" which translate to "Oh how sad and afflicted was my soul when Christ hung on the cross." The final movement of the chant is a prayer for mercy and forgiveness, with the words "Sancta Mater, istud agas, crucifixi fige plagas cordi meo valide" which translate to "Holy Mother, grant that the wounds of the crucified may be firmly fixed in my heart." Overall, "Dolorosa et lacrimabilis es" is a powerful and moving expression of the grief and sorrow felt by the Virgin Mary at the crucifixion of her son. The chant is a testament to the enduring power of Gregorian chant as a means of spiritual expression and transcendence.

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