Gregorio Allegri’s “Miserere mei, Deus,” a setting of Psalm 51, has bewitched listeners with its celestial harmonies and ethereal beauty since it was composed in the 1630s. For over a century, its score was zealously guarded by the Vatican, performed exclusively in the Sistine Chapel during Holy Week, the secrecy amplifying its mystique.
However, at the age of 12, Mozart listened to the piece on a Wednesday, then transcribed it entirely from memory. By the following Friday, he returned to correct minor errors. This remarkable feat not only showcased his genius but also positioned him as one of the earliest “pirates” in history, as he effectively engaged in the unauthorized copying of music.
The composition “Miserere” (Latin for “Have mercy on me, O God”) was created before 1638 specifically for Holy Week (Easter) celebrations. Featuring soaring choirs and nine captivating parts, it quickly gained popularity, becoming the sole piece of its kind performed at these services.
Three authorized copies were disseminated: one to Leopold I, the Holy Roman Emperor; another to the King of Portugal; and a third to Giovanni Battista, a prominent composer of the era, for performance purposes. However, none of these recipients could fully replicate its beauty, as the essence of its magnificence relied on intricate performance techniques, including improvised counterpoint, which were not transcribed on paper. Essentially, only the choir in Rome’s Sistine Chapel could perform the piece as intended.
Mozart’s father embarked on a 15-month tour of Italy with his young prodigious son, aiming to expose him to some of the world’s finest musicians and potentially arrange studies with Padre Martini in Bologna, who had previously instructed Johann Christian Bach, the son of Johann Sebastian Bach. However, their journey took an unexpected turn upon their arrival in Rome, just in time for Easter.
During their visit to the Sistine Chapel, they had the opportunity to hear the renowned Miserere being performed. Intrigued by the composition, young Mozart committed it to memory and upon returning home that evening, diligently transcribed the entire piece. Three days later, he revisited the chapel to listen to it once more and made minor adjustments to his transcription.
To add further intrigue, Mozart’s transcription included improvised embellishments, rendering it even more accurate than the original score. Beyond this point, historical accounts become somewhat unclear.
It is documented that a few weeks later, the young Mozart had an audience with the Pope and was honored with a decoration, being appointed as a Knight of the Golden Spur. Some sources suggest that it was this remarkable transcription that earned him the distinction, potentially averting an excommunication.
Alternatively, others claim that he met with British historian Charles Burney, who obtained the piece from him and subsequently brought it to London for publication in 1771. Regardless of the exact circumstances, the ban on the piece was lifted after 1771. However, it wasn’t until 1840 that the complete ornamentation was officially released by the Vatican, many decades after the 12-year-old Mozart had meticulously transcribed it using only his exceptional intellect.
Relevant articles:
– How Mozart was one of the first “pirates” – illegally transcribing music