Gesualdo Sabbato Sancto: Responsoria & Motets Suite (Audio CD)

Product Information

• Catalog Number: HMT 7901320 HM 76
• UPC: 794881362721
• Product Type: Compact Disc (DDD)
• Genre: Classical – Sacred Renaissance & Baroque Choral
• Language: Latin, Italian, and French (with bilingual liner notes)
• Total Running Time: 71:04
• Publication Date: 1990 (reissued 1996)
• Publisher: harmonia mundi SA – Mas de Vert, 13200 Arles, France
• Manufactured In: Germany

Overview

"Gesualdo Sabbato Sancto: Responsoria & Motets Suite" presents a profound exploration of sacred music through the responsories of Holy Saturday’s Tenebrae and a selection of motets. This evocative work by Carlo Gesualdo (c. 1560–1613) confronts the dramatic narrative of the Passion—featuring Christ’s arrest, judgment, flagellation, the Way of the Cross, and Crucifixion—through the lens of Renaissance polyphony intertwined with the Baroque cult of grief. Performed by the renowned Ensemble Vocal Européen under the direction of Philippe Herreweghe, this recording invites listeners to reflect on the timeless interplay between sacred tradition and expressive musical innovation.

French Translation – Overview (Aperçu)

"Gesualdo Sabbato Sancto : Responsoria & Suite de Motets" propose une exploration profonde de la musique sacrée à travers les répons de ténèbres du samedi saint et une sélection de motets. Cette œuvre évocatrice de Carlo Gesualdo (vers 1560–1613) confronte le récit dramatique de la Passion — incluant l’arrestation du Christ, le jugement, la flagellation, le chemin de croix et la crucifixion — sous le prisme de la polyphonie de la Renaissance mêlée au culte baroque de la douleur. Interprétée par le renommé Ensemble Vocal Européen sous la direction de Philippe Herreweghe, cet enregistrement invite à une réflexion sur l’interaction intemporelle entre tradition sacrée et innovation musicale expressive.

Product Features

• Audio Format: DDD, ensuring exceptional clarity and depth
• Packaging: Deluxe CD case with comprehensive bilingual liner notes
• Performance:
  • Performed by Ensemble Vocal Européen, directed by Philippe Herreweghe
  • Accompanied by contributions from the France Telecom Fondation
• Repertoire Focus:
  • Responsories of Holy Saturday Tenebrae ("répons de ténèbres du samedi saint")
  • Motets and Requiem exploring themes of stigma, passion, and transcendence

Interesting Facts

English

• Historical Context:
  • Composed during a turbulent era, Gesualdo’s work uniquely marries the refined polyphonic techniques of the Renaissance with the emotive intensity of Baroque expressions of grief.
• Artistic Enigma:
  • Known as both a master composer and a notorious figure, Gesualdo’s ability to "escape" the Passion narrative through his music has intrigued scholars and listeners alike.
• Critical Acclaim:
  • Critics have lauded this recording for its evocative portrayal of dramatic themes and its immaculate execution under Philippe Herreweghe’s direction.

French Translation – Interesting Facts (Faits Intéressants)

• Contexte Historique :
  • Composée durant une époque tumultueuse, l’œuvre de Gesualdo marie de manière singulière les techniques polyphoniques raffinées de la Renaissance à l’intensité émotive des expressions baroques de la douleur.
• Enigme Artistique :
  • Connu à la fois comme un maître compositeur et une figure controversée, la capacité de Gesualdo à "échapper" au récit de la Passion par sa musique intrigue autant les savants que les auditeurs.
• Éloges Critiques :
  • Les critiques saluent cet enregistrement pour sa représentation évocatrice des thèmes dramatiques et pour l’exécution impeccable sous la direction de Philippe Herreweghe.

Track Listing

Responsories of the Office of Tenebrae for Holy Saturday

1. Sicut ovis ad occisionem
2. Jerusalem, surge
3. Plange quasi virgo.
4. Recessit pastor noster
5. O vos omnes
6. Ecce quomodo moritur justus
7. Astiterunt reges terrae
8. Aestimatus sum
9. Sepulto domino

Motets

1. Ave, dulcissima maria
2. Peccantem me quotidie
3. Tribularer si nescirem
4. Tribulationem et dolorem

Requiem (by Sandro Gorli, born 1948)

1. Morti, moriamo ancora...
2. Bambino, quando morirò
3. Prendimi fra le tue braccia
4. Lieve, lieve, molto lieve
5. Padre, padre

Publishers

Released by harmonia mundi SA in France (Mas de Vert, 13200 Arles) during 1990 and reissued in 1996. Made in Germany. All rights reserved.

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Hashtags

English:

#GesualdoSabbatoSancto #SacredChoralMusic #RenaissancePolyphony #BaroqueGrief #PhilippeHerreweghe #EnsembleVocalEuropeen #HarmoniaMundi #TenebraeResponsories

French (Étiquettes):

#GesualdoSabbatoSancto #MusiqueSacrée #PolyphonieRenaissance #DouleurBaroque #PhilippeHerreweghe #EnsembleVocalEuropeen #HarmoniaMundi #RéponsTenèbres