The Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet. Lamentations for Good Friday (Lamentationes Jeremiae Prophetae. Lamentationes pro die Veneris Sancto), ZWV 53

Lamentatio II for Good Friday for Alto, Violin, Chalumeau, Bassoon and Basso Continuo


  • Recorded: 26th May 2014
  • Record Place: The Church of Virgin Mary under the Chain, Prague
  • First Release: 2014
  • (P) 2014 SUPRAPHON a.s.
  • Genre: Orchestral

Artists

  • music by: Jan Dismas Zelenka
  • Production: Biblical text
  • contralto: Damien Guillon
  • musical group: Collegium Marianum

Album

Damien Guillon, Daniel Johannsen, Tomáš Král, Collegium Marianum

Zelenka: The Lamentations of Jeremiah The Prophet

Catalogue Number: SU 4173-2
Published: 19th September 2014
Genre: Orchestral
Format: 1 CD
Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679-1745) - The Lamentations of Jeremiah The Prophet, ZWV 53 (1722)
(Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah)

Damien Guillon - alto, Daniel Johannsen - tenor, Tomáš Král - bass, Collegium Marianum, Artistic Director: Jana Semerádová

The emotive Old Testament Book of Lamentations, ascribed to the Prophet Jeremiah, has been the subject of a number of settings since the Middle Ages, with that of Jan Dismas Zelenka occupying a significant position among them. One of his first mature works composed during his time at the Dresden court, the Lamentations, alongside the Sepolcri, written for Prague (Supraphon SU 4068-2), and Responsories, are intended for Holy Week. In his Lamentations, performed as part of the liturgy of Tenebrae, the Service of Shadows, Zelenka succeeded in combining the contemplative aspect with a powerful dramatic charge. His penchant for unusual instrumentation is evident in, for instance, the final Lamentation (solo violin, bassoon and chalumeau, an instrument akin to today's clarinet). Zelenka only set to music two lessons of the first Nocturn for each day; on the present recording, every third reading takes the form of Gregorian chant, as was most likely heard at the Dresden court. The renowned Collegium Marianum ensemble has materialised the very first complete recording of Zelenka's Lamentations in the second millennium, one characterised by rigorous instrumentation, profound performance and remarkably conceived by three stellar soloists (Damien Guillon, Daniel Johannsen and Tomáš Král).

Zelenka's Lamentations, both contemplative and dramatic - an exceptional recording featuring exceptional soloists.

Reviews

“Zelenka’s 1722 la­mentations make an appealing, varied sequence especially when performed as well as this. Semeradova’s period musicians play with grace and beauty, and the soloists…Anyone with an interest in byways of the baroque will find much to love here.“
Classical Music

“In comparison to his contemporaries, Zelenka's style will seem almost quaint, if not downright old-fashioned…Of the performances themselves, all is splendid. The balance of the period instruments is perfectly judged, with intelligent and characterful singing from all three soloists.“
Gramophone, December 2014

Jan Dismas Zelenka
The Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet. Lamentations for Holy Wednesday (Lamenationes Jeremiae Prophetae. Lamentationes pro die Mercuri Sancto), ZWV 53
1. Lamentatio I for Holy Wednesday for Bass, Two Oboes, Strings and Basso Continuo 12:53
2. Lamentatio II for Holy Wednesday for Alto, Two Oboes, Strings and Basso Continuo 07:55
3. Lamentatio III for Holy Wednesday - Gregorian Chant 04:01
Jan Dismas Zelenka
The Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet. Lamentations for Maundy Thursday (Lamentationes Jeremiae Prophetae. Lamentationes pro die Jovis Sancto), ZWV 53
4. Lamentatio I for Maundy Thursday for Tenor, Two Oboes, Strings and Basso Continuo 08:59
5. Lamentatio II for Maundy Thursday for Bass, Two Oboes, Strings and Basso Continuo 10:29
6. Lamentatio III for Maundy Thursday - Gregorian Chant 04:34
Jan Dismas Zelenka
The Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet. Lamentations for Good Friday (Lamentationes Jeremiae Prophetae. Lamentationes pro die Veneris Sancto), ZWV 53
7. Lamentatio I for Good Friday for Tenor, Two Flutes, Two Cellos and Basso Continuo 11:21
8. Lamentatio II for Good Friday for Alto, Violin, Chalumeau, Bassoon and Basso Continuo 10:30
9. Lamentatio III for Good Friday - Gregorian Chant 03:32

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