Tenebrae Responsories (Victoria)


The Tenebrae Responsories by Tomás Luis de Victoria are a group of eighteen motets for four voices a cappella. The late Renaissance Spanish composer set them for Holy Week, specifically for the Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. They use liturgical texts and were published in Rome in 1585.
The eighteen Tenebrae Responsories are set for four voices each but with a varying disposition of the voices soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Soprano, tenor and bass are at times divided. Six responsories are dedicated to each Matins of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.