background
Wolfgang Rihm (1952-2024), is one of Germany’s leading contemporary composers. His work Tenebrae factae sunt is part of a broader tradition of Passion music and was composed in 1970. The title means “There came darkness” and refers to a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, often associated with the Passion of Christ.
Rihm is known for his expressive and often intense musical language. His work covers a wide range of genres and styles, and he has never been limited by any single musical idiom. He uses a variety of vocal techniques to emphasize the text. The choral parts range from whispering, almost inaudible passages to powerful, erupting climaxes.
Tenebrae factae sunt was performed by Cappella Amsterdam under conductor Daniel Reuss in concert series The Grand Inquisitor. At the request of Cappella Amsterdam, the concert was filmed by production company MILLK in De Vereeniging, Nijmegen. The audio was recorded by A-A-AUDIO. Then in 2021 Tenebrae factae sunt, along with other works by Wolfgang Rihm was released on the CD In Umbra Mortis.
lyrics
Tenebrae factae sunt, dum crucifixissent Jesum Judaei:
Et circa horam nonam exclamavit Jesus voce magna:
Deus meus, ut quid me dereliquisti?
Et inclinato capite, emisit spiritum.
Exclamans Jesus voce magna ait:
Pater, in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum.
performed by
Cappella Amsterdam
Daniel Reuss conductor
