Couperin's music for the Leçons de Ténèbres is directly inspired by the plainchant melody of the tonus lamentationum, the traditional intonation for the readings of the first nocturne of Tenebrae.
Composition History
Couperin's Leçons de Ténèbres were likely written for the nuns of the Royal Abbey of Longchamp around 1714, not for the grand offices attended by Louis XIV.
Compositional Technique
Couperin uses melismas on the Hebrew letters preceding each verse in the Leçons de Ténèbres, which served as mnemonic devices in the original Hebrew text.
Recording & Production
This album includes the motet Salvum me fac Deus, which had never been recorded previously.
Historical Context
In the 17th century, Tenebrae services became a public spectacle, with opera singers participating and seats being sold, sometimes leading to controversy among clerics.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Les Ombres, the ensemble performing on this album, focuses on French composers who were successors to Lully and precursors to Rameau, particularly François Couperin, known for blending Italian and French styles.
Composition History
Couperin's Leçons de Ténèbres for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, mentioned in his preface, were never printed and are now lost.
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