Miserere

Miserere (full title: Miserere mei, Deus, Latin for "Have mercy on me, O God") is a psalm (Psalm 51) set to music in the classical tradition. It is one of the most important and frequently performed pieces of sacred music. The text of the psalm is a penitential prayer, traditionally attributed to King David following his affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. Over the centuries, "Miserere" has been set to music by various composers, with Gregorio Allegri's setting being the most famous.

Composition and History

Gregorio Allegri, an Italian priest and composer of the Roman School, composed his version of Miserere mei, Deus in the 1630s for use in the Sistine Chapel during the Holy Week services. Allegri's Miserere is written for two choirs, one of four voices and the other of five, and is renowned for its simple, yet profoundly moving, beauty. The piece is particularly noted for its high C in the soprano line, a feature that has captivated listeners and performers alike.

For many years, the Vatican kept the composition of Miserere a closely guarded secret, allowing it to be performed only in the Sistine Chapel during Holy Week. According to popular legend, the 14-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart heard the piece during a visit to Rome in 1770, transcribed it from memory, and thus facilitated its wider dissemination.

Musical Features

The structure of Allegri's Miserere is unique, alternating between plainchant and polyphony. The piece begins with a chant in the first choir, followed by a polyphonic response in the second choir. This pattern repeats, with the plainchant sections becoming progressively shorter, heightening the emotional intensity of the music.

The use of spatial separation between the two choirs creates an ethereal echo effect, a technique known as cori spezzati. The high C in the soprano line, occurring in the penultimate verse of the piece, is one of the most anticipated moments in the performance of Miserere.

Legacy

Allegri's Miserere has had a profound influence on the development of Western sacred music. Its beauty, emotional depth, and the legend of its transmission by Mozart have contributed to its mystique and enduring popularity. Today, it is performed and recorded by choirs around the world, particularly during the Lenten season.

The piece has also inspired numerous arrangements and adaptations, highlighting its versatility and the universal appeal of its melody and harmonies. Despite the passage of centuries, Miserere mei, Deus remains a cornerstone of the choral repertoire, a testament to the enduring power of sacred music to move and inspire.