Office des Ténèbres 3 Leçons de Ténèbres du Mercredi

Description

Since the 15th century, composers have always been attracted to the text of the Lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah, which the liturgy of the Catholic Church uses during the three most important days of Holy Week, on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday at matins. With the 17th century and the rediscovery of accompanied monody, the success of the text of the Lamentations continues, and the composers of the time set it to music according to the new canons that, automatically, lead to a renewed appreciation of the traditional Gregorian melody.
Couperin will bring here the infinite flexibility of his musical thought, his ease in following the intonation and rhythm of the Latin words, which gives the language this sovereign ease and allows it to express what it wants without raising the tone, the structural beauty of his musical phrases, which unfold and conclude, rise and rest effortlessly. And then, above all, his heart. Couperin will rethink the text of the Cantique de Jérémie. He will bring to the lamentation this melancholy that is his own, very gentle, almost sweet in the complaint, and which will not temper as has been believed, but will internalize the lamento. Without emphasized effects, through the simple unfolding of a soprano voice or a duo accompanied by the organ and the viola da gamba, here is the most pathetic, the most moving music that has fallen from the pen of this poetic and contemplative musician.
The lessons of Tenebrae constitute one of the most beautiful moments of the Catholic liturgy as it was practiced until recent years.