From Darkness to Light

In 1638, Gregorio Allegri compose a setting of Miserere mei, Deus (Psalm 51) for the Sistine Chapel. The apocryphal story is that the Vatican allowed there to be only three copies in existence, which were kepts locked awau for safe-keeping so that no one else could copy or perform the work. Fast forward to 1764-65 when a young Mozart heard a performance of Allegri’s composition, went back to his inn, and copied it out flawlessly from memory. Fast forward again to 1989 when Estonian composer Arvo Pärt set the same text. Pärt’s Miserere is described as one of his “most dramatic and contrasting pieces…” From these two pieces of darkness, we move to hope and light, working our way through a Latvian Plaudite, Psallite and some American spirituals, including Thomas Dorsey’s Precious Lord. We close with Erik Esenvalds’ beautiful setting of Amazing Grace. Tickets at HoustonChamberChoir.org