This motet was written by Gregorio Allegri during the 1630s. It was so coveted by the Catholic Church, that Pope Urban VIII forbid it to be copied or played anywhere but in the Sistine Chapel on Ash Wednesday, once a year. (And yes, that's a 12 year old boy singing that high C throughout!) Mozart when he was 14 years old, came and listened to it and promptly wrote it out from memory. He gave it to a publisher in London, and after that the Catholic Church lifted the ban.(More info on Wikipedia)
It might strike you as a bit long (about 12 mins.) but it's presented here as time for meditation on the essential things, and, besides, the last thirty seconds of the motet is exquisite!
No comments:
Post a Comment