Post Description

Miserere, Op. 44 was written in 1981 by Polish composer Henryk Górecki. Written for large (120 voices) a cappella mixed choir, a typical performance lasts 35 minutes. The text comprises five words: 'Domine Deus Noster' (Lord our God), which are repeated for the first seven sections, resolved by a chorus of 'Miserere nobis' (Lord have mercy on us) in the eleventh and final section.

Górecki conceived the work in 1981 as a protest against government intervention in the workings of the Polish Solidarity trade unions - 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 W?oc?awek, central Poland.

Deze opname is uit 1994 door het Chicago Symphony Chorus / Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus met als dirigent John Nelson, de eerste keer dat het werk speciaal voor cd-opnames werd uitgevoerd.