Composer

:

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

9:10

Première leçon de ténèbres du mercredi saint, H. 120 is a sacred vocal work composed by Marc-Antoine Charpentier in the 17th century. The piece was composed in 1680 and premiered in Paris during the Holy Week of the same year. It is a part of a larger collection of works known as the Leçons de Ténèbres, which were composed for the Holy Week services. The piece is divided into three movements, each corresponding to one of the three lessons of the Tenebrae service. The first movement is a setting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, which is sung in a mournful and contemplative style. The second movement is a setting of the Psalm 50, which is sung in a more upbeat and hopeful style. The third movement is a setting of the hymn "Tenebrae factae sunt," which is sung in a solemn and reflective style. The characteristics of the piece are typical of Charpentier's style, which is characterized by its expressive and emotional qualities. The use of dissonance and chromaticism creates a sense of tension and drama, while the use of ornamentation and melodic variation adds a sense of richness and complexity to the music. The vocal writing is also notable for its use of expressive techniques such as vibrato, portamento, and dynamic contrast. Overall, Première leçon de ténèbres du mercredi saint, H. 120 is a powerful and moving work that captures the solemnity and contemplative nature of the Holy Week services. Its expressive qualities and emotional depth make it a masterpiece of Baroque sacred music.

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