In catholic musical tradition, the Holy Week is a time of very special musical profusion. Drawing on all the musical forces of churches, cathedrals, convents and even concert halls, the Passion of Christ invades all official sites, with the entire Kingdom communing in the sufferings of the Redeemer.
28 March 2017 - 8PM - Royal Chapel Charpentier : Grands Motets for the Holy Week
For this concert, Sébastien Daucé wished to present the different aspects of the works composed by Charpentier on this occasion, for different uses. The Messe of course, for the grand offices as in the Sainte Chapelle in Paris, where Charpentier was Music Master, is the main composition for a great number of believers. The magnificent Misere of the Jesuits reminds us of the power of this order which dominated the French 18th century, because of its many religious buildings that were also powerful musical centres. Finally the Leçons de Ténèbres (Tenebrae) were destined for convents, but in that period of the year where all opera performances were forbidden, the public rushed to hear (without seeing them) the most beautiful voices in Paris convents which rivalled for the attendance of high society…
This ensemble of works for the Passion enables Sébastien Daucé to deploy all the colours of the instrument players and singers of the Ensemble Correspondances: Charpentier’s music is their chosen land; they perfectly express its instrumental subtlety and its natural choral beauty: an exceptional encounter between the best interpreters of Charpentier of the time and his most moving music…
programme
Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704)
Jesuit Miserere
Leçon de Ténèbres (Tenebrae)
Motets pour les Trépassés (Motets for the Deceased)
Mass
Casting
- Ensemble Correspondances
- Sebastien Daucé Organ and conductor
practical information
Tuesday 28th March 2017 – 8pm
