The linked MP3 isn't the greatest recording, but it was the only one I could find online. The choir is a little shaky at first, but they get it going by the end.
Don't miss the opportunity to hear this performed live. It's absolutely jaw-dropping. posted by turbodog at 11:07 AM on March 23, 2005
One of the greats. I have a version by Kings College from some time in the seventies. It's the best I've ever heard. When the little bugger hits that ethereal top note... Jeeeesus. It doesn't sound human. posted by Decani at 11:16 AM on March 23, 2005
Kings College choir, obviously. Not the rugby team. Although I'd sort of fancy hearing that, come to think of it. posted by Decani at 11:17 AM on March 23, 2005
the link's already dead posted by matteo at 11:18 AM on March 23, 2005
Both Allegri's Miserere and the 51st Psalm (on which the work was based) have been nodal elements in my life. While the linked MP3 is a bit screechy, I would recommend the recording mentioned in the linked CD review and history; the Tallis Scholars capture perfectly the ethereal "choir of angels" effect magnifying the psalmist's own grieved guilt.
So enamoured was I with this choral work, in fact, that I made it into a Flash art piece for an interactive design class. (Warning: self-link, popup, flash, frames, potentially loud onmouseover sounds, and bible text.)
On preview: Ooo, Decani, the Kings College version is even better. posted by brownpau at 11:18 AM on March 23, 2005
Oh, another thing:
Allegri's Miserere = iTunes
Catholic Church = Apple
Papal Ban = DRM
Mozart = DVD John
Did I get it right? ;) posted by brownpau at 11:22 AM on March 23, 2005
Gorgeous music. Cool back-story. Great post. posted by gwint at 11:23 AM on March 23, 2005
the link's already dead
It worked for me posted by berek at 11:26 AM on March 23, 2005
Well. That was beautiful. Good post. posted by sciurus at 11:53 AM on March 23, 2005
Excellent Post T. Stunning to consider that anyone, even a 12 year old Mozart, could capture such a piece in one hearing and write it from memory. No doubt he was even more inspired upon hearing it than we are. posted by RMALCOLM at 12:10 PM on March 23, 2005
One of my favourites ... cheers! I first encountered it as a sample by the Orb ... posted by carter at 12:10 PM on March 23, 2005
If the Coral cache is flaky, here's a link to the original site. I just didn't want it to get hammered.
i remember when i was 11 my piano teacher told me the story of that song. i had completely forgotten about it until today. thanks for the link and the mp3. posted by Igor XA at 12:23 PM on March 23, 2005
carter, what orb track is that? posted by Igor XA at 12:26 PM on March 23, 2005
Reading the story got me kinda mad. The truly beautiful horded by the Church....share this beautiful thing with others and we/God will punish you. sickening. posted by dontrememberthis at 1:14 PM on March 23, 2005
Miserere Dominus,
Miserere Dominus,
Canis mortuus est. posted by AlexReynolds at 2:47 PM on March 23, 2005
Igor XA: "Into the Fourth Dimension," from "The Orb's Adventures beyond the Ultraworld." There's a better (I think) version of this on their Peel Sessions CD. posted by carter at 2:57 PM on March 23, 2005
By the way, the church scene in Face/Off used the Miserere Mei for background music. I thought it was extremely annoying. posted by brownpau at 3:10 PM on March 23, 2005
A beautiful piece of music. Thanks for sharing. posted by deborah at 4:16 PM on March 23, 2005
link works now, thanks posted by matteo at 4:32 PM on March 23, 2005
Yes this is beautiful. If you like this sort of thing Stabat Mater
by Vivaldi is heartbreaking , but not popular. the music was discovered in 1939. worth checking out,Easter and all. posted by hortense at 8:30 PM on March 23, 2005
An excellent recording was done by the Cambridge Singers, and can be found here. posted by the_bone at 9:00 PM on March 23, 2005
hortense: speaking of musical renditions of the Stabat Mater, Giovanni Pergolesi's has always been one of my favorites; when I learned later that he'd composed it while dying of tuberculosis it became rather more powerful.
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Don't miss the opportunity to hear this performed live. It's absolutely jaw-dropping.
posted by turbodog at 11:07 AM on March 23, 2005