The Quality of Mercy

Bradbury Building (1893)
(click to enlarge)

We attended a fabulous a capella concert last night in the historic Bradbury Building in downtown Los Angeles. The Tallis Scholars performed choral music from the late Renaissance, along with some contemporary compositions, all of which resonated brilliantly against the hard sufaces of the five-story atrium. Our favorite piece was the last, Miserere mei, Deus (Latin for "Have mercy on me, O God"), by the Italian composer Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652). 

It's a setting of Psalm 51, and is said to be the papal choir's greatest musical triumph, composed exclusively for use in the Sistine Chapel. In fact, a papal ban prevented any copy from leaving the Vatican, which "only served to heighten its status and mystique." The intricate composition remained a secret for nearly 150 years--until it was finally memorized by a 14-year-old boy: 

"According to the popular story (backed up by family letters), the fourteen-year-old Mozart was visiting Rome, when he first heard the piece during the Wednesday service. Later that day, he wrote it down entirely from memory, returning to the Chapel that Friday to make minor corrections. Some time during his travels, he met the British historian Dr Charles Burney, who obtained the piece from him and took it to London, where it was published in 1771. Once the piece was published, the ban was lifted; Mozart was summoned to Rome by the Pope, only instead of excommunicating the boy, the Pope showered praises on him for his feat of musical genius. [...] Since the lifting of the ban, Allegri's Miserere has become one of the most popular a cappella choral works now performed."  (from Wikipedia)

The Miserere lives up to its billing (15 minute standing ovation last night).  I can say without qualification, it's the most achingly beautiful piece of music I've ever heard.  Heartbreakingly beautiful.

[YouTube  recording (1994) of Tallis Scholars' Miserere here.]