Immerse yourself in the sacred and sublime with Marc-Antoine Charpentier's "Leçons de ténèbres, Litanies & Magnificat," a masterful collection of Baroque compositions that blend French elegance with Italian fervor. This album, released in 2018 on the Hyperion label, features 30 tracks that span a rich and diverse repertoire, including the hauntingly beautiful "Leçons de ténèbres" (Lessons of Darkness) and the reverent "Litanies de la vierge" (Litanies of the Virgin).
Under the direction of Jonathan Cohen and performed by the acclaimed ensemble Arcangelo, this recording showcases Charpentier's unique fusion of styles, reflecting his training under the renowned Italian composer Giacomo Carissimi. The album opens with the serene "Litanies de la vierge," a series of supplications to the Virgin Mary, followed by the joyous "Magnificat à 3," a setting of the Magnificat text that highlights Charpentier's mastery of polyphony.
The heart of the album lies in the "Leçons de ténèbres," a set of three lessons sung during the Tenebrae service on Maundy Thursday. These profound and introspective works, based on the Lamentations of Jeremiah, are performed with exquisite sensitivity by tenor Samuel Boden and baritone Stéphane Degout. Each lesson is a journey through sorrow and reflection, culminating in a powerful call to repentance.
The album also includes the grand "Ouverture pour le sacre d'un évêque" (Overture for the Consecration of a Bishop), a ceremonial piece that underscores Charpentier's ability to compose both intimate and monumental music. With a total duration of 73 minutes, this album offers a comprehensive exploration of Charpentier's sacred music, making it an essential addition to any classical music collection.
"Leçons de ténèbres, Litanies & Magnificat" is not just a collection of beautiful music; it is a testament to Charpentier's enduring genius and his unique place in the Baroque era. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises a deeply enriching and spiritually uplifting experience.
Tracks
Litanies de la vierge, H. 83: I. Kyrie eleisonMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen
Litanies de la vierge, H. 83: II. Speculum iustitiaeMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen
Litanies de la vierge, H. 83: III. Salus infirmorumMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen
Litanies de la vierge, H. 83: IV. Agnus DeiMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen
Magnificat à 3, H. 73Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Ouverture pour le sacre d'un évêque, H. 536Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen
Première leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 120: I. PreludeMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Première leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 120: II. Incipit lamentatio Jeremiae prophetaeMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Stéphane Degout, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Première leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 120: III. Quomodo sedet sola civitas plena populoMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Jonathan Cohen, Stéphane Degout, Arcangelo
Première leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 120: IV. Plorans ploravit in nocteMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Stéphane Degout, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Première leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 120: V. Migravit Juda propter afflictionemMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Stéphane Degout, Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen
Première leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 120: VI. Viae Sion lugentMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Jonathan Cohen, Stéphane Degout, Arcangelo
Première leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 120: VII. Facti sunt hostes eius in capiteMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Stéphane Degout, Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen
Première leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 120: VIII. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuumMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Jonathan Cohen, Stéphane Degout, Arcangelo
Seconde leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 138: I. Vau. Et egressus est a filia –Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Samuel Boden, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Seconde leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 138: II. Zain. Recordata est Jerusalem dierum afflictionis suaeMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Jonathan Cohen, Samuel Boden, Arcangelo
Seconde leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 138: III. Peccatum peccavit Jerusalem –Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Samuel Boden, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Seconde leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 138: IV. Teth. Sordes eius in pedibus eiusMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen, Samuel Boden
Seconde leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 138: V. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuumMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen, Samuel Boden
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: I. PreludeMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: II. JodMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Jonathan Cohen, Stéphane Degout, Arcangelo
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: III. Manum suam misit hostisMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Arcangelo, Stéphane Degout, Jonathan Cohen
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: IV. Omnis populus eius gemensMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Jonathan Cohen, Stéphane Degout, Arcangelo
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: V. LamedMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Stéphane Degout, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: VI. O vos omnes qui transitis per viamMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Stéphane Degout, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: VII. MemMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Stéphane Degout, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: VIII. De excelso misit ignem in ossibus meisMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Stéphane Degout, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: IX. NunMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Stéphane Degout, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: X. Vigilavit iugum iniquitatum mearumMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Stéphane Degout, Jonathan Cohen, Arcangelo
Troisième leçon de ténèbres du Mercredi saint, H. 123: XI. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuumMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Arcangelo, Stéphane Degout, Jonathan Cohen
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