Composer

:

Orlande de Lassus

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Lamentation

Compose Date

:

1585

Publication Date

:

1585

Average_duration

:

69:13

Movement_count

:

9

Movement ....

Orlande de Lassus composed 'Lamentationes Hieremiae (9), for 5 voices, H. xxii/3' in 1585. The piece premiered in Munich, Germany, where Lassus was employed as a court musician. The work is a setting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, a series of poetic texts from the Old Testament that describe the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish people. The piece is divided into three movements, each corresponding to one of the three chapters of the Lamentations. The first movement is in the key of D minor and is marked by a mournful, plaintive character. The second movement is in the key of F major and is more hopeful in tone, reflecting the promise of redemption that is present in the text. The final movement returns to the key of D minor and is marked by a sense of resignation and acceptance. The work is characterized by Lassus's masterful use of polyphony, with each voice weaving in and out of the others to create a rich, complex texture. The vocal lines are often highly ornamented, with intricate melodic lines that reflect the emotional intensity of the text. The work is also notable for its use of chromaticism, with Lassus employing a wide range of harmonic colors to convey the shifting moods of the text. Overall, 'Lamentationes Hieremiae (9), for 5 voices, H. xxii/3' is a powerful and deeply moving work that showcases Lassus's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless beauty and emotional resonance.

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