Gesualdo: Tenebrae

Editorial Reviews
Vocal ensemble performance doesn't get any more technically polished or musically affecting than this offering from the Hilliard Ensemble--an example of what happens when a group of individual singers performs as a spiritual entity. Of course, the music--the liturgically solemn tenebrae responsories--makes a perfect medium for such a performance, but these works by late-16th/early 17th-century composer Carlo Gesualdo are notoriously difficult, owing to their unorthodox harmonic and melodic language. For this recording the Hilliards augmented the group's usual four male voices with three additional singers, countertenor, tenor, and bass, fully exploring and exploiting Gesualdo's rich tonal landscape while conveying the work's profound spirituality. The sonorities' effects are alternately chilling, unnerving, calming, and comforting. The sound is exemplary. --David Vernier

Amazon.com essential recording
The cover photo on this disc--a black-and-white, uncaptioned close-up of a grieving figure--resembles nothing so much as a Calvin Klein Obsession perfume ad, or perhaps a Joy Division record. ECM clearly wishes to underline the proto-modernism and obsessive despondency that sets Gesualdo famously apart from his Renaissance contemporaries. Fortunately such canny marketing is backed up by the Hilliard Ensemble's gorgeous renditions of the legendary count's irresistibly dark, utterly fascinating... read more

Gesualdo: Tenebrae

Tracks:

Lectio 1
In Monte Oliveti
Tristis Est Anima Mea
Ecce Vidimus Cum
Lectio 2
Amicus Meus Osculi
Judas Mercator Pessimus
Unus Ex Discipulis Meis
Lectio 3
Eram Quasi Agnus Innocens
Una Hora Non Potuistis
Senoires Populi Consilium
Benedictus
Christus Factus Est

Customer Reviews:

Just a little bit magical.......2005-10-19

The King's Singers have been in decline of late. Let's not mistake this statement for one in which I say, "it's crap." What I mean is, most of the more recent King's albums haven't had the same sort of cohesive synergy which characterized their very first albums back in the Carrington-era incarnation of the group. Very very good, probably better than anyone else on the scene; but not quite as good as the King's Singers of 1976 or '77 (I forget when they actually started).

They are now back to fighting trim.

The Carrington-era group was not quite as aggressive in terms of individual vocal production as they are in this album, which is fine, a different ethic is at work here. A large portion of blame for the new and wonderful sound can be laid at the feet of new countertenor, Robin Tyson, who seems to act as an anchor for the upper end of the group's sound just as the equally wonderful Stephen Connolly has done for the bass end of the scale for many years now. The group's musicianship has never been so forward, yet so...well... musical, as it is here.

And then there's the material... Gesualdo is one of those lurking genuises who hide in Renaissance repertoire. He's always there, just overlooked more often than is fair. I think of what Bach must have been before Mendelssohn reintroduced him to the world--then I think of Gesualdo. The King's drive straight for the odd little turns that populate Gesualdo's music and reveal them in ways which I have not experienced before.

In short, this album is unearthly perfection.

Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories; Benedictus; Miserere

Average customer rating:

Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories; Benedictus; Miserere

Manufacturer: Warner Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000MM0CB8
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

I In Monte Oliveti Oravit Ad Patrem
II Tristis Est Anima Mea
III Ecce Vidimus Eum
IV Amicus Meus Osculi Me Tradidit
V Juda Mercator Pessimus Osculo Petiit
VI Unus Ex Discipulis
VII Eram Quasi Agnus Innocens
VIII Una Hora Non Potuistis Vigilare Mecum
IX Seniores Populi Consilium Fecerunt
Miserere (Psalm 50)
I Omnes Amici Mei Dereliquerunt Me
II Velum Templi Scissum Est
III Vinea Mea Electa, Ego Te Plantavi

Tracks:

IV Tanquam Ad Latronem Existis Cum Gladiis Et Fustibus
V Tenebrae Factae Sunt, Dum Crucifixissent Jesum Judaei
VI Animam Meam Dilectam Tradidi In Manus Iniquorum
VII Tradiderunt Me In Manus Impiorum
VIII Jesum Traditit Impius Summis Principibus
IX Caligaverunt Oculi Mei Fletu Meo
Benedictus (Canticle Of Zachariah)
I Sicut Ovis Ad Occisionem Ductus Est
II Jerusalem, Surge
III Plange Quasi Virgo Plebs Mea
IV Recessit Pastor Noster
V O Vos Omnes
VI Ecce Quomodo Moritur Justus
VII Astiterunt Reges Terrae
VIII Aestimatus Sum Cum Descendentibus In Lacum
IX Sepulto Domino Signatum Est Monumentum

Average customer rating:

Renaissance expressionism
Awe-inspiring and terrifying
Perfect for a Rainy Day
Expressive, powerful performances of mannerist master

Gesualdo: Tenebrae
Carlo Gesualdo , and The Hilliard Ensemble
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gesualdo: Complete Sacred Music for Five Voices
Perotin / The Hilliard Ensemble
Gesualdo: Quinto Libro di Madrigali (1611)
Carlo Gesualdo: Madrigali Libri I-III
John Dunstable: Motets / Hilliard Ensemble

ASIN: B000025YNV
Release Date: 2000-04-18

Tracks:

Feria V - In Coena Domini: In I Nocturno: Responsorium 1
Feria V - In Coena Domini: In I Nocturno: Responsorium 2
Feria V - In Coena Domini: In I Nocturno: Responsorium 3
Feria V - In Coena Domini: In II Nocturno: Responsorium 4
Feria V - In Coena Domini: In II Nocturno: Responsorium 5
Feria V - In Coena Domini: In II Nocturne: Responsorium 6
Feria V - In Coena Domini: In III Nocturno: Responsorium 7
Feria V - In Coena Domini: In III Nocturno: Responsorium 8
Feria V - In Coena Domini: In III Nocturno: Responsorium 9
Feria VI - In Parasceve: In I Nocturno: Responsorium 1
Feria VI - In Parasceve: In I Nocturno: Responsorium 2
Feria VI - In Parasceve: In I Nocturno: Responsorium 3
Feria VI - In Parasceve: In II Nocturno: Responsorium 4
Feria VI - In Parasceve: In II Nocturno: Responsorium 5
Feria VI - In Parasceve: In II Nocturno: Responsorium 6
Feria VI - In Parasceve: In III Nocturno: Responsorium 7
Feria VI - In Parasceve: In III Nocturno: Responsorium 8
Feria VI - In Parasceve: In III Nocturno: Responsorium 9

Tracks:

Sabato Sancto: In Nocturno: Responsorium 1
Sabato Sancto: In I Nocturno: Responsorium 2
Sabato Sancto: In I Nocturno: Responsorium 3
Sabato Sancto: In II Nocturno: Responsorium 4
Sabato Sancto: In II Nocturno: Responsorium 5
Sabato Sancto: In II Nocturno: Responsorium 6
Sabato Sancto: In III Nocturno: Responsorium 7
Sabato Sancto: In III Nocturno: Responsorium 8
Sabato Sancto: In III Nocturno: Responsorium 9
Benedictus
Miserere

Amazon.com

Carlo Gesualdo's name will always conjure up a special image: When he discovered that his wife had been unfaithful, he had her and her lover murdered and left on his palace steps, impaled on the same sword. Ghastly, but gripping--and, oddly enough, his harmonies, dissonances, upsetting chromatic passages, and general complexity can also be seen as "ghastly but gripping." Gesualdo was wealthy enough that he never had to depend on a patron; he could therefore write whatever he pleased, in whatever, far-out (to this day), experimental style he chose. His Tenebrae Responsoria are particularly thorny--they're a part of the religious service in which the church's candles are extinguished one at a time until the congregation is sitting in darkness--and Gesualdo's music is incredibly deep and troubling. And, I might add, magnificent. The Hilliards perform them ideally, with great technical accuracy, a sense of the weightiness of the text and music, and simply beautiful sound. This is an example of what makes the Hilliards so special. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Renaissance expressionism.......2006-05-01

This album contains all of Gesualdo's Tenebrae Responsories sang by an ensemble (as they were meant to), rather than a chorus, in good church acoustics, and in Just Intonation (as they were also meant to).

The music is highly polyphonic, and filled with expressive dissonances (all the more powerful and varied because of the Just Intonation). However, normally the Tenebrae Responosories, as their name indicates, would be sung as reponses to lectios, which are simple, monophonic recitations, providing nice contrast to the intricate responses, as well as suitable and hypnotic relaxation between them.

So, while this collection has all the actual compositions of the set, I would recommend also getting a few albums that contain some lectios as well. One such album is the Sony disc with Andrew Parrott and Taverner Consort singers.

And, in addition to Tenebrae Responsories in general, I would also recommend Gesualdo's 4th, 5th, and 6th books of Madrigals, which contain (at least structurally) even more daring compositions.

Awe-inspiring and terrifying .......2005-06-13

Don Carlo Gesualdo (1560 - 1613) was an aristocrat rich, artistic, and - as the second son of a noble Neapolitan family - free to indulge his passion for music. But when his eldest brother died, it was decreed that Don Carlo should carry on the line. The bride found for him - Donna Maria d'Avalos - was the greatest beauty in town. Don Carlo fathered a son, after which he lost interest in sex. But it still interested his wife. One day his uncle confided to him that she was involved in a torrent affair with the handsome Duke of Andria, in which they would "invite each other to battle on the fields of love". Alerted to the fact that Don Carlo now knew of their liaisons, the Duke tried to persuade Donna Maria to end the affair, but she proclaimed she would sooner die. Thus was the scene set for Don Carlo's historic act.

One day in October of 1590 he secretly disabled his locks, then set out to hunt only to sneek back with a gang of henchmen in the still of night. The chronicles detail what happened next: about the night-dress Donna Maria asked to be put out on the bed, about the maid posted as sentinel, and the commotion as Don Carlo and his men kicked in the door to find the pair "in flagrante delicto di fragrante peccato". About the shots and multiple sword-thrusts, and the way Don Carlo personally skewered his wife to the floor all the while repeating to himself "I do not believe she is dead". He dragged their bodies onto the stairs, for all the horrifed towns peope to gape at next morning, posting a notice explaining why he had killed them. The Duke was still clad in a woman's night-gown, while Donna Maria's "wounds were all in her belly, and especially in those parts which ought to be kept honest".

Don Carlo withdrew to his residence in Ferrra where his nobility ensured he escaped trial, only to find himself "afflicted by a vast horde of demons which gave him no peace unless twelve young men, whom he kept specially for the purpose, were to beat him violently three times a day, during which operation he was wont to smile joyfully."

Don Carlo built a private chapel, completed in 1592. Inside hung a painting depicting the Virgin Mary and saints all pointing to the sinner, Don Carlo, while the fires of purgatory burnt below - out of which angels pull the figures of a man and a woman. Could these be the murdered lovers before which Don Carlo implored forgiveness? His music became filled with an obession with themes of guilt, sin, pity, and death - even the joy of love being mixed with a fascination with pain: 'dolorosa gioia', such 'joyous pain' being a typical musical outburst.

Never has there been a composer with a more macabre background than this, nor yet so muscially so obsessionally fascinating.

Stravinsky began his famous foreword to Glenn Watkins' biography of Gesualdo with the words "musicians may yet save Gesualdo from musicologist, but certainly the latter have had the best of it until now". This recording of Gesualdo comes closest to saving him from the musicologists. The Hilliards fearlessly journey through the vertigo inducing chromatic spirals leading into the strange, visionary world of this dark genius - a world into which other ensembles fear to treat, instead resorting to a sanitization of the music to remove its sting - though who could blame them for wanting to? Particulary important is presence of the more harshly piecing tones of a counter-tenor in place female of sopranos, whose smooth dulcet tones rob the music of its visionary strangeness. Although the Hilliard Ensemble had been singing this music for decades, David James still said: "We don't sing it the way we sing most early music - we sing it as though it was contemporary. Even if you didn't know the facts, you'd still know it couldn't have been written by a completely sane man."

Tenerbrae means darkness, and the darkest ritual of the year suited Gesualdo tempermentally in which each candle is extinguished one by one leaving only one left burning in the darkness. Although his sacred works are less ostentatious in their chromaticisms and eccentricities than his madrigals, the power of his proto-Baroque declamatory writing coupled with the audacity of the writing is quite breathtaking to listen to.

This is an extraordinary - and absolutely essential - recording that delivers in full measure. The recorded sound really is superb and amongst the finest of a capella music as I have ever heard. It quite rightly won the deutschen Schallplattenkritik award.

Diego Fischerman wrote in Goldberg early music magazine that:

"the Hilliard Ensemble's recording (on this occasion the group is made up of the countertenors David James and Ashley Stafford, the tenors John Potter, Rogers Covey-Crump and Mark Padmore, the baritone Paul Hillier and the bass David Beavan) is truly unsurpassable, both in precision and dramatic intensity. The recording, made by the engineer Peter Laenger for ECM at Douai Abbey is outstanding for its realism and spatial conception."

Iain Fenlon in Gramophone magazine wrote that "these performances reveal a rare understanding of the inherent tensions of the music, both in terms of local detail and overall shape, and explicate them with great technical and musical artistry. I doubt that they could be bettered." I tend to agree and as the only complete recording available of the Tenebrae, this is my personal first choice, despite some stiff competition from A Sei Voci, the Taverner Consort, the Tallis Scholars and the King's Singers all recording only select parts.

These performaces ensure that the Gesualdo legend lives on.

Perfect for a Rainy Day.......2005-03-25

This CD was my introduction to the music of Gesualdo. It has been written that Gesualdo was 300 years ahead of his time with his intricate and dissonant harmonies, and I have to agree. It is not a stretch of the imagination to place his music in the 1950s. The music perfectly matches the dreary Latin texts dealing with the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ. I defy anyone to hear CD#1, track 2, and not get chills at the words "et ego vadim". The accompanying booklet, although more poetic and less biographic, contains some beautiful, appropriate photographs which express the mood of the music perfectly.
Anyone familiar with the recordings of the Hilliards needs not be told of their rich harmonies and precise intonation-it just needs to be heard. My favorite aspect of this recording is the cavernous sound of the church, the reverberation in the hall brings a power to the 6-man group that one might expect from a 30 piece choir. I can imagine that this is the way it was heard 300 years ago.
Although the music of Gesualdo may not be to the taste of someone tentatively delving into the Renaissance for the first time, it may deepen the appreciation of this period more than the myriads of recordings of instrumental dances and part-songs ever will. Next rainy day, put this CD on, sit back, and relax. You will pray for more rain.

Expressive, powerful performances of mannerist master.......2000-10-05

Gesualdo, the master of late-Renaissance mannerism, is given a spectacular reading here, with the Hilliard Ensemble in full flower. The tightly-bent harmonies will have you squirming delightfully in your headphones. A word of advice: Listen to these alone, unless your friends and family enjoy sudden outbursts of harmonies you'll be tempted to try. Don't worry though: If you have any troubles, the rock-solid Hilliards will carry you through.

Carlo Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday

Average customer rating:

Music of darkness and power...

Carlo Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday

Manufacturer: Gimell UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responses for Good Friday
Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Maundy Thursday

ASIN: B00005ATD3
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Customer Reviews:

Music of darkness and power..........2004-06-19

--Motets--
Motets (in this sense) are choral settings of Latin religious texts, generally in four to six voiced parts, sometimes more. There are four Marian motets here, which show power and passion, but at the same time balance in composition.

--Tenebrae Responsories--
Tenebrae Responsories are liturgical pieces set for the darkness of events in Holy Week - here the collection is from the liturgy for Holy Saturday. The words are powerful and full of emotion, and Gesualdo plays with the overall mood by taking the tact that mood might change word by word. Gesualdo experiments, as sometimes bass voice parts may overtake sopranos, or melodies may make dramatic jumps up and down entire octave spans. Rhythm and harmony can be quickly distorted, but all to interesting and fulfilling effect.

--Liner Notes--
Being internationally acclaimed, the Tallis Scholars' CDs typically present their commentary and texts in English, French, German and Italian (together with any Latin texts); that is true of this disc. The cover art also typically represents visual arts contemporary with the compositions - here it is a Caravaggio, The Deposition, from the Vatican collections.

--The Tallis Scholars--
The Tallis Scholars, a favourite group of mine since the first time I heard them decades ago, are a group dedicated to the performance and preservation of the best of this type of music. A choral group of exceptional ability, I have been privileged to see them many times in public, and at almost every performance, their singing seems almost like a spiritual epiphany for me, one that defies explanation in words. Directed by Peter Phillips, the group consists of a small number of male and female singers who have trained themselves well to their task.

Tracks:

In I. Nocturno: Antiphon: Astiterunt Reges Terrae/Psalm: Quare Fremuerunt Gentes/Antiphon...
In I. Nocturno: Lectio I: De Lamentatione...Heth
In I. Nocturno: Resp. I: Omnes Amici Mei
In I. Nocturno: Lectio II: Lamed
In I. Nocturno: Resp. II: Velum Templi
In I. Nocturno: Lectio III: Aleph
In I. Nocturno: Resp. III:L Vinea Mea Electa
In II. Nocturno: Antiphon: Aleni Insurrexerunt/Psalm: Deus In Nomine Tuo (Ps 53)/Antiphon...
In II. Nocturno: Lectio IV: Ex Tractatu..l.Protexisti Me
In II. Nocturno: Resp. IV: Tamquam Ad Latronem
In II. Nocturno: Lectio V: Tanta Opera Bona
In II. Nocturno: Resp. V: Tenebrae Factae Sunt
In II. Nocturno: Lectio VI: Exacuerunt Tamquam
In II. Nocturno: Resp. VI: Animam Meam Dilectam
In III. Nocturno: Antiphon: Captabunt In Animan Justi/Psalm: Deus Ultionum Dominus (Ps 93)...
In III. Nocturno: Lectio VII: De Epistola... Festinemus
In III. Nocturno: Resp. VII: Tradiderunt Me
In III. Nocturno: Lectio VIII: Adeamus Ergo
In III. Nocturno: Resp. VIII: Jesum Tradidit Impius
In III. Nocturno: Lectio IX: Nec Quisquam
In III. Nocturno: Resp. IX: Caligaverunt Oculi Mei

Amazon.com

The Neapolitan nobleman Don Carlo Gesualdo achieved modern-day fame decades before other Renaissance composers; the combination of a lurid life story and sensationally strange music proved irresistible to the likes of Nadia Boulanger and Igor Stravinsky. Gesualdo's madrigals, crammed full of sudden, disorienting changes in harmony (and dissonance), can seem to induce vertigo all by themselves, and much of his liturgical music is only marginally more stable. The Taverner Consort and Choir perform here several of Gesualdo's Tenebrae Responsories from the liturgy for Good Friday. Andrew Parrott's practice of performing sacred music in the context of at least a partial service works especially well here. After 70 uninterrupted minutes of Gesualdo's high-flying weirdness, a listener's sense of dislocation can wear off; hearing chant and even intoned readings between Gesualdo's music (as Gesualdo would have done in his own chapel) helps keep the ears oriented. Each time the Consort sings one of Gesualdo's pieces after some chant, you're reminded anew just how willfully bizarre that music is. The performance itself is problematic. The Taverners are certainly more engaged than the Hilliard Ensemble, but not engaged enough. Granted, these aren't madrigals, but the writing isn't that different. God knows there's breathless anguish in the music. We need to hear a bit more of it from the singers. Nevertheless, accurate execution and tuning in Gesualdo are an achievement in themselves; so is the way this program is organized. Flaws notwithstanding, Andrew Parrott and his singers show Gesualdo's sacred music to better advantage than has anyone else so far. --Matthew Westphal

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Carlo Gesualdo Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday
The Tallis Scholars , Carlo Gesualdo , Peter Phillips , and Gimell
Manufacturer: Gimell
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Product Description

Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy SaturdayThe Tallis Scholars Released: 2005Total Tracks: 13Label: Gimell Records ..... 1 Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday: Sicut ovis ad occisionem Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 03:45 2 Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday: Jerusalem, surge Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 03:31 3 Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday: Plange quasi virgo Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 05:29 4 Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday: Recessit pastor noster Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 03:40 5 Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday: O vos omnes Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 03:35 6 Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday: Ecce quomodo moritur justus Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 05:46 7 Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday: Astiterunt reges Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 02:24 8 Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday: Aestimatus sum Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 03:48 9 Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday: Sepulto Domino Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 05:32 10 Gesualdo: Ave, dulcissima Maria Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 04:16 11 Gesualdo: Precibus et meritis Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 03:02 12 Gesualdo: Ave, Regina caelorum Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 03:30 13 Gesualdo: Maria, Mater gratiae Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 03:42

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The Mannerist Revolution

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Pomerium: Musical Book of Hours

ASIN: B000001Q92
Release Date: 1992-04-22

Tracks:

Tristis Est Anima Mea
Io Mi Son Giovinetta
Ohime, Se Tanto Amate
Omnes Amici Mei
Voi, Nemico Crudele
Ahi, Lass'Ogn'Or
Tenebrae Factae Sunt
Cor Mio Mentre Vi Miro
Piagn'E Sospira
Si Ch'Io Vorrei Morire
Velum Templi Scissum Est
Io Tacero
Belta, Poi Che T'assenti
O Vos Omnes
Crudele Acerba
Solo E Pensoso

Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday

Average customer rating:

Music of darkness and power...

Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday

Manufacturer: Gimell
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001I4V
Release Date: 1993-09-01

Tracks:

Tenebrae Responsories For Holy Saturday: Sicut Ovis Ad Occisionem
Tenebrae Responsories For Holy Saturday: Ierusalem, Surge
Tenebrae Responsories For Holy Saturday: Plange Quasi Virgo
Tenebrae Responsories For Holy Saturday: Recessit Pastor Noster
Tenebrae Responsories For Holy Saturday: O Vos Omnes
Tenebrae Responsories For Holy Saturday: Ecce Quomodo Moritur Iustus
Tenebrae Responsories For Holy Saturday: Astiterunt Reges
Tenebrae Responsories For Holy Saturday: Aestimatus Sum
Tenebrae Responsories For Holy Saturday: Sepulto Domino
Four Marian Motets: Ave, Dulcissima Maria
Four Marian Motets: Precibus Et Meritis
Four Marian Motets: Ave, Regina Caelorum
Four Marian Motets: Maria, Mater Gratiae

Amazon.com

Most listeners or singers who know anything about 16-century composer Gesualdo think of his music as rather eccentric at best and downright weird at worst. But they most likely are thinking of his colorful and passionately expressive madrigals. Rarely do we get the chance to hear Gesualdo's liturgical music which, in its own way, is as passionately expressive as the madrigals, but generally keeps within a more traditional structural and harmonic framework. The Tenebrae Responsories certainly reveal the strikingly unique elements of Gesualdo's technique, especially the surprising and unlikely harmonic misdirections and dissonant clashes. But overall, this is music that holds to conventional principles and simply pushes them farther than we find in other works of the same period. The four motets are especially effective and beautiful--inspiring the Tallis Scholars to record one of their finest performances. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Music of darkness and power..........2006-01-18

--Don Carlo Gesualdo--
Gesualdo is a unique composer in many ways. He was a prince of Venosa, and given to courtly intrigues. His first wife was unfaithful to him - he had her murdered, along with her lover. He later remarried while at the court of the Duke of Ferrara. He was much given to popular music and madrigals, and was accomplished on the lute. He lived much of his life in Naples, developing a very individual madigral style, and becoming known for some sacred compositions, too. As passionate as Gesualdo's life and actions were, so too was his musical style, which remained nonetheless in many ways old fashioned.

--Motets--
Motets (in this sense) are choral settings of Latin religious texts, generally in four to six voiced parts, sometimes more. There are four Marian motets here, which show power and passion, but at the same time balance in composition.

--Tenebrae Responsories--
Tenebrae Responsories are liturgical pieces set for the darkness of events in Holy Week - here the collection is from the liturgy for Holy Saturday. The words are powerful and full of emotion, and Gesualdo plays with the overall mood by taking the tact that mood might change word by word. Gesualdo experiments, as sometimes bass voice parts may overtake sopranos, or melodies may make dramatic jumps up and down entire octave spans. Rhythm and harmony can be quickly distorted, but all to interesting and fulfilling effect.

--Liner Notes--
Being internationally acclaimed, the Tallis Scholars' CDs typically present their commentary and texts in English, French, German and Italian (together with any Latin texts); that is true of this disc. The cover art also typically represents visual arts contemporary with the compositions - here it is a Caravaggio, The Deposition, from the Vatican collections.

--The Tallis Scholars--
The Tallis Scholars, a favourite group of mine since the first time I heard them decades ago, are a group dedicated to the performance and preservation of the best of this type of music. A choral group of exceptional ability, I have been privileged to see them many times in public, and at almost every performance, their singing seems almost like a spiritual epiphany for me, one that defies explanation in words. Directed by Peter Phillips, the group consists of a small number of male and female singers who have trained themselves well to their task.

Their recordings are of a consistent quality that deserve more than five stars; this particular disc of pieces by Gesualdo deserves a place on the shelf of anyone who loves choral music, liturgical music or Gregorian chant, classical music generally, or religious music. It is truly remarkable. The music on this disc was originally recorded in 1987 at the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, Norfolk.

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Pathways of Renaissance Music
Josquin Desprez , Pierre LaRue , Clement Janequin , Pierre Certon , Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina , Hans Leo Hassler , Claudio Monteverdi , Jean Mouton , Cipriano de Rore , Thomas Tallis , William Byrd , Orlande de Lassus , Carlo Gesualdo , Enriquez de Valderrabano , Alonso de Mudarra , Marco dall'Aquila , Pietro Paulo Borrono , Renaissance dances Anonymous , Anonymous , Adrian Le Roy , Thoinot Arbeau , English Traditional , Orazio Bassani , Orazio Vecchi , Adrian Willaert , John Dowland , and Giovanni Gabrieli
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chansons | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DLX3
Release Date: 1998-11-10

Tracks:

Missa Pange Lingua: Hymne 'Pange Lingua' - Dominique Visse/Gerard Lesne/Michel Laplenie/Josep Benet/Philippe Cantor/Josep Cabre...
Missa Pange Lingua: Kyrie - Dominique Visse/Gerard Lesne/Michel Laplenie/Josep Benet/Philippe Cantor/Josep Cabre...
Missa Pange Lingua: Gloria - Dominique Visse/Gerard Lesne/Michel Laplenie/Josep Benet/Philippe Cantor/Josep Cabre...
Missa Pange Lingua: Credo - Dominique Visse/Gerard Lesne/Michel Laplenie/Josep Benet/Philippe Cantor/Josep Cabre...
Missa Pange Lingua: Sanctus - Dominique Visse/Gerard Lesne/Michel Laplenie/Josep Benet/Philippe Cantor/Josep Cabre...
Missa De Beata Virgine: Agnus Dei - Theater Of Voices/Paul Hillier
Messe 'L'Homme Arme': Kyrie - Dominique Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Josep Benet/Philippe Cantor/Josep Cabre/Antoine Sicot...
Messe 'L'Homme Arme': Gloria - Dominique Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Josep Benet/Philippe Cantor/Josep Cabre/Antoine Sicot...
Messe 'L'Homme Arme': Agnus Dei - Dominique Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Josep Benet/Philippe Cantor/Josep Cabre/Antoine Sicot...
Messe 'La Bataille': Credo - Dominique Visse/Jean-Louis Comoretto/Bruno Boterf/Stephan Van Dyck/Vincent Bouchot...
Messe 'La Bataille': Sanctus - Dominique Visse/Jean-Louis Comoretto/Bruno Boterf/Stephan Van Dyck/Vincent Bouchot...
Messe 'Sus Le Pont D'Avignon': Chanson 'Sus Le Pont D'Avignon' - The Boston Camerata/Joel Cohen
Messe 'Sus Le Pont D'Avignon': Kyrie - The Boston Camerata/Joel Cohen
Missa Viri Galilaei: Gloria - Ens Vocal Europeen/Philippe Herreweghe
Missa Viri Galilaei: Agnus Dei I & II - Ens Vocal Europeen/Philippe Herreweghe
Missa Super 'Dixit Maria': Credo - Ens Vocal Europeen/Philippe Herreweghe
Missa A Quattro Voci Da Cappella: Sanctus - Ens Vocal Europeen/Philippe Herreweghe
Missa A Quattro Voci Da Cappella: Benedictus - Ens Vocal Europeen/Philippe Herreweghe
Missa A Quattro Voci Da Cappella: Agnus Dei - Ens Vocal Europeen/Philippe Herreweghe

Tracks:

Salve Regina - La Chapelle/Philippe Herreweghe
Ave Sanctissima Maria - Theater Of Voices/Paul Hillier
Congregati Sunt - Dominique Visse/Jean-Louis Comoretto/Bruno Boterf/Stephan Van Dyck/Vincent Bouchot...
Le Vergine - Ashley Stafford/Paul Elliot/Leigh Nixon/Paul Hillier
The Lamentations Of Jeremiah - Theater Of Voices/Paul Hillier
Canciones Sacrae: Peccantem Me Quotidie - Rosemary hardy/Elizabeth Lane/Mark Deller/Christopher Royall/Paul Elliot/Rogers Covey Crump...
Lagrime Di San Pietro: Il Magnanimo Pietro - Maria Cristina Kiehr/Johanna Koslowsky/Simon Berridge/Gerd Turk/Herve Lamy/Peter Kooy...
Lagrime Di San Pietro: Ma Gli Archi - Maria Cristina Kiehr/Johanna Koslowsky/Simon Berridge/Gerd Turk/Herve Lamy/Peter Kooy...
Lagrime Di San Pietro: Tre Volte Haveva A L'Importuna - Maria Cristina Kiehr/Johanna Koslowsky/Simon Berridge/Gerd Turk/Herve Lamy/Peter Kooy...
Lagrime Di San Pietro: Qual A L'Incontro Di Quegli Occhi Santi - Maria Cristina Kiehr/Johanna Koslowsky/Simon Berridge/Gerd Turk/Herve Lamy/Peter Kooy...
Lagrime Di San Pietro: Motet: Vide Homo, Quae Pro Te Patior - Maria Cristina Kiehr/Johanna Koslowsky/Simon Berridge/Gerd Turk/Herve Lamy/Peter Kooy...
Motet Viri Galilaei - Ens Vocal Europeen/Philippe Herreweghe
Magnificat Primi Toni - Avec L'Ens Organum/Marcel Peres
Tribulationem Et Dolorem - Ens Vocal Europeen/Philippe Herreweghe
Ecce Quomodo Moritur Justus - Ens Vocal Europeen/Philippe Herreweghe
Ad Dominum - Ens Vocal Europeen/Philippe Herreweghe

Tracks:

Contrapunto Sobre El Tenor Del Conde Claros - Eric Bellocq/Massimo Moscardo
Fant Del Primer Tono - Eric Bellocq
La Battaglia - Paul O'Dette
Ricercar 33 - Paul O'Dette
Saltarello - Paul O'Dette
La Bataille: Pavane Et Galliarde - The King's Noyse/David Douglass
L'Arboscello Ballo Furlano - The King's Noyse/David Douglass
Susanne Un Jour - The King's Noyse/David Douglass
Bransle Gay - Paul O'Dette
Pavane 'Belle Qui Tient Ma Vie' - The Broadside Band/Jeremy Barlow
Gaillarde 'La Traditore My Fa Morire' - The Broadside Band/Jeremy Barlow
Gaillarde Anthoinette - The Broadside Band/Jeremy Barlow
Gaillarde 'J'Aymerois Mieulx Dormir' - The Broadside Band/Jeremy Barlow
La Volte - The Broadside Band/Jeremy Barlow
Greensleeves - Andreas Martin
Packington's Pound - Andreas Martin
Kemp's Jig - Andreas Martin
Vergine Bella - Labyrinto/Paolo Pandolfo/Juan Manuel Quintana/Guido Balestracci/Gaetano Nasillo/Remo Guerrini
Vergine Bella - Labyrinto/Paolo Pandolfo/Juan Manuel Quintana/Guido Balestracci/Gaetano Nasillo/Remo Guerrini
Saltarello Detto Trivella - The King's Noyse/David Douglass
O Bene Mio Fam'Uno Favote - The King's Noyse/David Douglass
The Frogg Galliard - Paul O'Dette
Lachrimae - Paul O'Dette
Gaillard To Lachrimae - Paul O'Dette
Can She Excuse - Paul O'Dette
Fant - Paul O'Dette
Canzon XI - The Academy Of Ancient Music/Paul Goodwin
Ste De Danses: Intrada - Francis Chapelet
Ste De Danses: Anglaise - Francis Chapelet
Ste De Danses: Allemande - Francis Chapelet
Ste De Danses: Autrichienne - Francis Chapelet
Ste De Danses: Hongroise - Francis Chapelet
Ste De Danses: Italienne, Saltarelle - Francis Chapelet
Ste De Danses: La Courante Du Roy - Francis Chapelet

Tracks:

Faulte D'Argent - Dominique Visse/Bruno Boterf/Jean-Paul Fouchecourt/Philippe Cantor/Josep CabreAntoine Sicot...
Mille Regretz - Dominique Visse/Bruno Boterf/Jean-Paul Fouchecourt/Philippe Cantor/Josep CabreAntoine Sicot...
Mille Regretz - Dominique Visse/Bruno Boterf/Jean-Paul Fouchecourt/Philippe Cantor/Josep CabreAntoine Sicot...
Allegez Moy - Dominique Visse/Bruno Boterf/Jean-Paul Fouchecourt/Philippe Cantor/Josep CabreAntoine Sicot...
Nous Sommes De L'Ordre De Saint-Babouyn - Dominique Visse/Bruno Boterf/Francois Fauche/Vincent Bouchot/Marc Busnel/Eric Bellocq
Le Chant Des Oyseaulx - Dominique Visse/Michel Laplenie/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot
Toutes Les Nuictz - Dominique Visse/Michel Laplenie/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot
Le Chant Du Rossignol - Dominique Visse/Michel Laplenie/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot
Qu'est-ce D'Amour? - Dominique Visse/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Michel Laplenie
La Guerre (Escoutez Tous, Gentils Gaulois) - Dominique Visse/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Bruno Boterf/Claude Deboves/Agnes Mellon
Au Verd Bois Je M'en Iray - Dominique Visse/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Claude Deboves/Agnes Mellon
La Chasse - Dominique Visse/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Claude Deboves/Agnes Mellon
Du Beau Tetin - Dominique Visse/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Michel Laplenie
Du Laid Tetin - Dominique Visse/Bruno Boterf/Francois Fauche/Vincent Bouchot/Marc Busnel/Eric Bellocq
Tant Que Vivray - Dominique Visse/Micel Laplenie/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Claude Deboves
Las, Je M'y Plains - Dominique Visse/Micel Laplenie/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Claude Deboves
Il Est Bel Et Bon - Dominique Visse/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Michel Laplenie
La Prise De Calais (Hardis Fancoys) - Dominique Visse/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Michel Laplenie/Claude Deboves
Fricassee - Dominique Visse/Philippe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Michel Laplenie
La Fricassee - Dominique Visse/Bruno Boterf/Francois Fauche/Vincent bouchot/Marc Busnel
La, La, La, Je Ne L'ose Dire - Dominique Visse/Bruno Boterf/Francois Fauche/Vincent Bouchot/Marc Busnel/Eric Bellocq
Suzanne Un Jour - Dominique Visse/Agnes Mellon/Michel Laplenie
Suzanne Un Jour - Dominique Visse/Agnes Mellon/Michel Laplenie/Philippe Cantor/Josep Cabre/Antoine Sicot...
Mon Dieu, Que Ma Maitresse Est Belle - Dominique Visse/Michel Laplenie/Agnes Mellon/Philipe Cantor/Antoine Sicot/Claude Deboves
Quand Tu Tournes Les Yeux - Dominique Visse/Delphine Collot/Bruno Boterf/Paul De Los Cobos/Francois Fauche/Marc Busnel...

Tracks:

Musica Dulci Sono - Ashley Stafford/Paul Elliot/Rogers Covey-Crump/Leigh Nixon/Paul Hillier
O Lucia (Terzo Libro Delle Villote) Libro De Villanelle, Moresche & Altre Canzoni - Dominique Visse/Michel Van Goethem/Bruno Boterf/Paul De Los Cobos/Francois Fauche...
Cathalina - Dominique Visse/Michel Van Goethem/Bruno Boterf/Paul De Los Cobos/Francois Fauche...
hai Lucia - Dominique Visse/Michel Van Goethem/Bruno Boterf/Paul De Los Cobos/Francois Fauche...
Canta Giorgia - Dominique Visse/Michel Van Goethem/Bruno Boterf/Paul De Los Cobos/Francois Fauche...
Vezzose Augelli - Cantus Colln/Johanna Koslowsky/Elisabeth/Popien/Gerd Turk/Wilfried Jochens...
Voi Ch'Ascoltate - Cantus Colln/Johanna Koslowsky/Elisabeth/Popien/Gerd Turk/Wilfried Jochens...
Giunto Alla Tomba - Cantus Colln/Johanna Koslowsky/Elisabeth/Popien/Gerd Turk/Wilfried Jochens...
Giunto Alla Tomba (Livre IV) - Con Volcale/Rene Jacobs/Barbara Schlick/Rene Jacobs/Marius Van Altena...
Rimanti In Pace (Livre VI) - Con Volcale/Rene Jacobs/Barbara Schlick/Rene Jacobs/Marius Van Altena...
Non T'Amo, O Voce Ingrata (Livre III) - Monique Zanetti/Arlette Steyer/Nathalie Stutzmann/Gerard Lesne/Jean-Paul Fouchecourt...
Occhi del Mio Cor Vita (Livre V) - Monique Zanetti/Arlette Steyer/Nathalie Stutzmann/Gerard Lesne/Jean-Paul Fouchecourt...
Se La Mia Morte Brami (Livre VI) - Monique Zanetti/Arlette Steyer/Nathalie Stutzmann/Gerard Lesne/Jean-Paul Fouchecourt...
Giunto Alla Tomba, Lamento Di Tancredi - Rene Jacobs/W. Kuijken/W. Chistie/K. Junghanel
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: L'Umor Svegliato - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Strepito Di Pescatori - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Parone Di Barca - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Barcaruolo E Passaggieri - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Libraio Fiorentino - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Mastro Di Musica Luchese - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Venetiano E Thedesco - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Madrigale Affettuoso - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Madrigale Capriccioso - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Mattinata In Dialogo - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Mercante Brescaino Et Hebrei - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Madrigale Alla Romana (Stile Del Marenzio... - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Prima Ottava All'improvviso Nel Liuto - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Seconda Ottava All'improvviso Nel Liuto - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Barcaryoli Procaccio E Tutti Al Fine - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...
Barca Di Venetia Per Padova: Comedie Madrigalesque: Soldato Svaglioato - Dominique/Visse/Pascal Bertin/Bruno Boterf/Philippe Cantor/Francoise Fauche/Antoine Sicot...