The Miserere
Psalm 51 Set to Music
For centuries, Psalm 51 has inspired composers to create some of the most beautiful sacred music ever written. The Miserere tradition represents humanity's musical response to David's ancient prayer of repentance.
"Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam"
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy"
— Psalm 51:1, Latin Vulgate
Allegri's Miserere
No setting of Psalm 51 is more famous than Gregorio Allegri's Miserere mei, Deus, composed around 1638 for the Sistine Chapel. For over a century, the Vatican guarded this piece as a sacred treasure, forbidding its copying on pain of excommunication.
The work features two choirs singing alternating verses, with a solo soprano line that climbs to a crystalline high C—a sound so ethereal that many believed it could only be properly heard within the Sistine Chapel itself.
The legend of Mozart transcribing the entire piece from memory after hearing it twice only added to its mystique. Today, it remains one of the most frequently performed works of Renaissance sacred music.
Key Details
- Composer
- Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652)
- Composed
- c. 1638
- Written For
- Sistine Chapel, Holy Week
- Voicing
- Double choir (5 voices + 4 voices)
- Duration
- Approximately 12-15 minutes
Notable Miserere Settings
Gregorio Allegri
c. 1638 • Roman Catholic
The most famous setting, composed for the Sistine Chapel during Holy Week. Its haunting beauty and legendary secrecy made it the most sought-after piece of its era.
Notable: Mozart famously transcribed it from memory at age 14 after hearing it twice in the Sistine Chapel.
History of the Miserere
Early Church
Psalm 51 became central to Christian worship from the earliest days. It was chanted in monasteries daily and incorporated into the Divine Office. The Latin text 'Miserere mei, Deus' became one of the most familiar phrases in Western Christianity.
Medieval Era
Gregorian chant settings of the Miserere developed, with the psalm taking a prominent place in penitential liturgies. It was sung on Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent, often with the entire community prostrate in prayer.
Renaissance
Polyphonic settings flourished, with composers like Josquin, Palestrina, and Lassus creating elaborate musical interpretations. The text inspired some of the most profound sacred music ever written.
Allegri's Miserere
Gregorio Allegri composed his famous setting for the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican forbade its copying, making it the most closely guarded musical secret in Europe. Possession of a copy could result in excommunication.
Mozart's Transcription
14-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart heard the Miserere twice in the Sistine Chapel during Holy Week. He transcribed the entire work from memory, breaking the Vatican's century-long monopoly on the piece.
Modern Era
Once published, Allegri's Miserere spread throughout Europe and became one of the most beloved pieces of sacred music. It continues to be performed in cathedrals and concert halls worldwide, especially during Holy Week.
Mozart and the Miserere
In the spring of 1770, fourteen-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart traveled to Rome with his father Leopold. During Holy Week, they attended services at the Sistine Chapel, where Allegri's Miserere was performed—a piece so jealously guarded that copying it was forbidden under threat of excommunication.
After the service, Mozart returned to his lodgings and wrote down the entire piece from memory. He returned for a second performance, hiding his manuscript in his hat, and made small corrections. The complete transcription was accurate.
When word reached the Vatican, Pope Clement XIV summoned the young Mozart. Rather than punishment, the Pope awarded him the Order of the Golden Spur, recognizing his extraordinary gift. Soon after, the Miserere was published, ending its long secrecy.
The Text Behind the Music
Every Miserere setting draws its power from the same source: David's ancient prayer of repentance in Psalm 51. The Latin text, "Miserere mei, Deus," has echoed through cathedrals for over a thousand years, giving voice to humanity's cry for mercy.
Frequently Asked Questions
'Miserere' is Latin for 'Have mercy,' the opening words of Psalm 51 in the Latin Vulgate: 'Miserere mei, Deus' (Have mercy on me, O God). The term has become shorthand for any musical setting of Psalm 51, though it most commonly refers to Allegri's famous composition.
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