1 | Responsorium IV: Amicus Meus |
2 | Responsorium V: Iudas Mercator Pessimus |
3 | ResponsoriumVI: Unus Ex Discipulis Meis |
4 | Responsorium VII: Eram Quasi Agnus |
5 | Reponsorium VIII: Una Hora |
6 | Responsorium IX: Seniores Populi |
7 | Reponsorium IV: Tamquam Ad Latronem |
8 | Reponsorium V: Tenebrae Facae Sunt |
9 | Responsorium VI: Animam Meam Dilectam |
10 | Reponsorium VII: Tradiderunt Me |
11 | Reponsorium VIII: Iesum Tradidit Impius |
12 | Reponsorium IX: Caligaverunt Oculi Mei |
13 | Responsorium IV: Recessit Pastor Noster |
14 | Responsorium V: O Vos Omnes |
15 | Responsorium VI: Ecce Quomodo Moritur |
16 | Responsorium VII: Astiterunt Reges |
17 | Responsorium VIII: Aestimatus Sum |
18 | Responsorium IX: Sepulto Domino |
Tenebrae Responsories / Choeur de Westminster, dir. Hill
The contrast of these solemn texts with the very high, very young- sounding boys' voices gives a strangely ethereal quality to the music. Victoria wrote his 18 Responsories to be performed in three sets, according to Church custom, during the services of Holy Week. The music would not have been heard straight through as we have it on this recording, but its presentation in this form allows us to fully appreciate its unified construction and emotional impact. Except for some overexuberant singing from the tenors in the "Tenebrae factae sunt" section and occasional loss of blend in the trebles, this is a delightful, atmospheric recording. It sets the proper mood for Victoria's thoughtful, reverent, and moving accompaniment to these all-important observances in the liturgy of the Christian Church. --David Vernier