Górecki - Miserere

Henryk Górecki - Miserere, 1981.

Performed by the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Recorded at St. Mary of the Angels Church, Chicago.

This Miserere, composed in 1981 for a large choir, was written as a protest against the assault of Solidarity activists in the city of Bydgoszcz by the Polish Militia. However, due to the declaration of martial law, the piece was not able to be performed until 1987.

The entire text is only comprised of five words: "Domine Deus Noster," (Lord our God) which is repeated for the first 10 sections of the piece, followed by a final section with the text "Miserere nobis" (Lord have mercy on us). It is a large arch form, with a long additive structure, as each of eight voice parts enters one at a time.

The piece is extremely quiet for the first three minutes or so, turn up your volumes.