THE LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH THE PROPHET

One of our music resources for Holy Week, the Lamentations of Jeremiah is a setting that follows the Book of Jeremiah the Prophet. These verses demand a high degree of depth and discipline from any composer setting them musically. Their poetry has challenged the imagination of a long line of distinguished composers, beginning with the Renaissance master, Ockeghem, and including Arcadelt, Claude le Jeune, Morales, Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, Palestrina, and François Couperin. In the Jewish tradition, the text is adopted on days of fasting and mourning; in the Christian tradition, the musical work is sung during Tenebrae (Ténèbres, the "dark hours" marked by the extinguishing of candles) celebrated the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of Holy Week before Easter. The version accessed here is by Tallis.

To find other musical resources for Holy Week please go to ACNY websites in other benefice parishes.