Omnes amici mei reflects the agony and sorrow of Jesus (''all my friends have deserted me...'') and Gesualdo takes advantage of the opportunities the text offers for expression of extreme feelings. Known for his eccentric inclination when writing, Gesualdo used to avoid fixed forms and formulas in composition, the responsory being the only preestablished form that he made use of. Even then, tight structures could not hold his spark, as this work perfectly reflects his particular style, full of unprepared dissonances, textural and dynamic contrasts, and rhythmic modulations.
