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The Beauty Part
In an ugly moment, here's a piece of music that can heal and inspire. And a story that--on a more worldly plane--will dazzle friends, co-workers, even employers, this Easter week (and beyond).
In 1770, when he was just 14 years old, Mozart and his father came to Rome for Holy Week. St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel were obvious destinations. On Wednesday, Mozart heard Allegri's "Miserere," a piece so exquisite that one of the 17th-century popes decided it should be played only on Wednesday and Good Friday of Holy Week, and only in the Sistine Chapel.
No one dared to copy it--the penalty was excommunication.
That night, from memory, Mozart transcribed it. On Friday, he brought his copy--hidden in his hat --to the second performance and checked it for accuracy. He had, he discovered, made just two mistakes. No copy of the Mozart transcription exists. It's said he handed it off, whereupon it was copied again--and his version was then destroyed.
Lovely story. And a great endorsement of the music. Click for more on the "Miserere."
In 1770, when he was just 14 years old, Mozart and his father came to Rome for Holy Week. St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel were obvious destinations. On Wednesday, Mozart heard Allegri's "Miserere," a piece so exquisite that one of the 17th-century popes decided it should be played only on Wednesday and Good Friday of Holy Week, and only in the Sistine Chapel.
No one dared to copy it--the penalty was excommunication.
That night, from memory, Mozart transcribed it. On Friday, he brought his copy--hidden in his hat --to the second performance and checked it for accuracy. He had, he discovered, made just two mistakes. No copy of the Mozart transcription exists. It's said he handed it off, whereupon it was copied again--and his version was then destroyed.
Lovely story. And a great endorsement of the music. Click for more on the "Miserere."
