Miserere, Op. 44, was written in 1981 by Polish composer Henryk Mikołaj Górecki for a large (120 voices) a cappella mixed choir.
Górecki first conceived of the piece as a protest against government intervention in the workings of the Polish Solidarity trade unions in 1981 - specifically, in response to the government-sanctioned assault of activists in Bydgoszcz. After martial law was enacted in December of that year, performance of the piece became impossible, and the piece was not performed until 1987. The first performance took place in Wloclawek, central Poland.
The text comprises five words: 'Domine Deus Noster' (Lord our God), is repeated for the first ten sections, resolved by a chorus of 'Miserere nobis' (Have mercy on us) in the eleventh and final section.
A typical performance lasts 35 Minutes. (Wikipedia)
Read more.
Performance by the Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus, John Nelson conducting. [listen]
Górecki first conceived of the piece as a protest against government intervention in the workings of the Polish Solidarity trade unions in 1981 - specifically, in response to the government-sanctioned assault of activists in Bydgoszcz. After martial law was enacted in December of that year, performance of the piece became impossible, and the piece was not performed until 1987. The first performance took place in Wloclawek, central Poland.
The text comprises five words: 'Domine Deus Noster' (Lord our God), is repeated for the first ten sections, resolved by a chorus of 'Miserere nobis' (Have mercy on us) in the eleventh and final section.
A typical performance lasts 35 Minutes. (Wikipedia)
Read more.
Performance by the Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus, John Nelson conducting. [listen]
