Couperin, Lalande: Leçons de Ténèbres (2008)

The Leçons de Ténèbres, or "lessons of darkness," represent a special use during Holy Week of the biblical Lamentations of Jeremiah -- they are sung (or read) in services that conclude with the extinguishing of a candle. When the series of nine services is complete, the last candle is put out and the congregants are left in darkness. François Couperin composed a set of nine lessons, but only the three performed here survive. Each verse begins with the intonation of a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The lessons are for one or ... Read More

The Leçons de Ténèbres, or "lessons of darkness," represent a special use during Holy Week of the biblical Lamentations of Jeremiah -- they are sung (or read) in services that conclude with the extinguishing of a candle. When the series of nine services is complete, the last candle is put out and the congregants are left in darkness. François Couperin composed a set of nine lessons, but only the three performed here survive. Each verse begins with the intonation of a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The lessons are for one or two solo voices with continuo and are in a conservative, rather minimal style that bears a spiritual affinity to the later works of Schütz -- quite a contrast from the sensual world of Couperin's keyboard music. Various good recordings exist, but few have the sheer vocal perfection of this version by veteran sopranos Emma Kirkby and Agnès Mellon. The highlight of the disc is the third lesson (track 3), where they sing together -- the contrast between their voices, Kirkby's less... Read Less

• All

• All Copies (0)
• Choose Release (2)

Currently there are no copies available. However, our inventory changes frequently. Please check back soon or try Book Fetch.

2008, BIS UPC: 675754004910 CD See All

2008, BIS UPC: 7318590015759 CD See All