The Hilliard Ensemble: Gesualdo – Tenebrae (2 CD, APE)

Composer: Carlo Gesualdo
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: ECM Records
Size: 445 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc: 1
01. Feria V-In Coena Domini-In I Nocturno: Responsorium 1
02. Feria V-In Coena Domini-In I Nocturno: Responsorium 2
03. Feria V-In Coena Domini-In I Nocturno: Responsorium 3
04. Feria V-In Coena Domini-In II Nocturno: Responsorium 4
05. Feria V-In Coena Domini-In II Nocturno: Responsorium 5
06. Feria V-In Coena Domini-In II Nocturno: Responsorium 6
07. Feria V-In Coena Domini-In III Nocturno: Responsorium 7
08. Feria V-In Coena Domini-In III Nocturno: Responsorium 8
09. Feria V-In Coena Domini-In III Nocturno: Responsorium 9
10. Feria VI-In Parasceve-In I Nocturno: Responsorium 1
11. Feria VI-In Parasceve-In I Nocturno: Responsorium 2
12. Feria VI-In Parasceve-In I Nocturno: Responsorium 3
13. Feria VI-In Parasceve-In II Nocturno: Responsorium 4
14. Feria VI-In Parasceve-In II Nocturno: Responsorium 5
15. Feria VI-In Parasceve-In II Nocturno: Responsorium 6
16. Feria VI-In Parasceve-In III Nocturno: Responsorium 7
17. Feria VI-In Parasceve-In III Nocturno: Responsorium 8
18. Feria VI-In Parasceve-In III Nocturno: Responsorium 9

Disc: 2
01. Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel, motet for 6 voices, W. 7/93
02. Miserere Mei, Deus, motet for 6 voices, W. 7/92
03. Sabbato Sancto -In I Nocturno: Responsorium 01
04. Sabbato Sancto -In I Nocturno: Responsorium 02
05. Sabbato Sancto -In I Nocturno: Responsorium 03
06. Sabbato Sancto -In II Nocturno: Responsorium 04
07. Sabbato Sancto -In II Nocturno: Responsorium 05
08. Sabbato Sancto -In II Nocturno: Responsorium 06
09. Sabbato Sancto -In III Nocturno: Responsorium 07
10. Sabbato Sancto -In III Nocturno: Responsorium 08
11. Sabbato Sancto -In III Nocturno: Responsorium 09

Perfect for a Rainy Day

This CD was my introduction to the music of Gesualdo. It has been written that Gesualdo was 300 years ahead of his time with his intricate and dissonant harmonies, and I have to agree. It is not a stretch of the imagination to place his music in the 1950s. The music perfectly matches the dreary Latin texts dealing with the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ. I defy anyone to hear CD#1, track 2, and not get chills at the words “et ego vadim”. The accompanying booklet, although more poetic and less biographic, contains some beautiful, appropriate photographs which express the mood of the music perfectly.

Anyone familiar with the recordings of the Hilliards needs not be told of their rich harmonies and precise intonation-it just needs to be heard. My favorite aspect of this recording is the cavernous sound of the church, the reverberation in the hall brings a power to the 6-man group that one might expect from a 30 piece choir. I can imagine that this is the way it was heard 300 years ago.

Although the music of Gesualdo may not be to the taste of someone tentatively delving into the Renaissance for the first time, it may deepen the appreciation of this period more than the myriads of recordings of instrumental dances and part-songs ever will. Next rainy day, put this CD on, sit back, and relax. You will pray for more rain.