Composer

:

Sébastien de Brossard

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

ca. 1711

Average_duration

:

11:08

"Miserere mei" is a sacred choral work composed by Sébastien de Brossard, a French composer and music theorist, in the late 17th century. The piece was first performed in 1690 at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. The work is divided into nine movements, each of which is based on a different section of Psalm 51, which is also known as the Miserere. The text of the psalm is a plea for forgiveness and mercy, and Brossard's setting of the text reflects the emotional intensity of the words. The first movement, "Miserere mei," is a plaintive plea for mercy, with the choir singing in unison. The second movement, "Tibi soli peccavi," is a confession of sin, with the choir singing in a more contrapuntal style. The third movement, "Asperges me," is a prayer for purification, with the choir singing in a more joyful and celebratory style. The fourth movement, "Auditui meo," is a prayer for spiritual renewal, with the choir singing in a more contemplative style. The fifth movement, "Cor mundum," is a plea for a pure heart, with the choir singing in a more introspective style. The sixth movement, "Ne projicias me," is a plea for God's protection, with the choir singing in a more urgent and dramatic style. The seventh movement, "Docebo iniquos," is a declaration of faith, with the choir singing in a more confident and assertive style. The eighth movement, "Libera me," is a plea for deliverance, with the choir singing in a more intense and passionate style. The final movement, "Gloria Patri," is a joyful affirmation of faith, with the choir singing in a more exultant and triumphant style. Overall, Brossard's "Miserere mei" is a powerful and emotionally charged work that reflects the deep spiritual yearnings of the psalmist. The piece is characterized by its rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and dramatic contrasts, and it remains a beloved work of sacred choral music to this day.

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