Mozart’s Adolescent Act of Plunder: Appropriating a Hidden Melody from the Sistine Chapel

The Brilliant Musical Memory of Mozart: Illicitly Acquiring Allegri’s Miserere from the Vatican

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is widely acknowledged as a musical genius, yet his abilities extended far beyond mere composition. At the tender age of 14, his extraordinary auditory recall enabled him to memorize and transcribe Gregorio Allegri’s “Miserere mei, Deus,” a revered choral gem that was fiercely protected by the Vatican. Created in the 1630s for Pope Urban VIII, the “Miserere” was solely performed during Holy Week inside the Sistine Chapel. Its complex ornamentation contributed to its allure, captivating audiences throughout Europe.

The Vatican enforced a prohibition on the transcription of the piece, permitting ownership of only three known copies, designated for the Holy Roman Emperor, the King of Portugal, and Padre Martini, who mentored Mozart. Nonetheless, during his inaugural visit to Rome in 1770, he witnessed a performance of the Miserere at the Sistine Chapel. Showcasing his prodigious talent, he attentively listened to the music and transcribed it completely from memory.

Leopold, Mozart’s father, recounted his son’s astonishing feat in a correspondence with his wife, noting: “You have often heard of the legendary Miserere in Rome… But we already possess it. Wolfgang has transcribed it.” Although this was the first unauthorized version, it soon became known that the Pope recognized Mozart’s transcription and felt no cause for alarm.

Mozart’s rendition, released in 1771 by Dr. Charles Burney, lacked the distinctive ornamentation that characterized Allegri’s original. In spite of subsequent alterations and the inclusion of the “top C” note, absent from the original score, contemporary performances of “Miserere” resonate with its timeless charm. Its evocative harmony guarantees that Allegri’s masterwork endures as iconic, with Mozart’s boldness and brilliance adding an enthralling chapter to its narrative.

Enjoy listening to “Miserere mei, Deus” as performed by the King’s College Choir in Cambridge, England.

For further reading on this subject and related content, check out:
– 8 Insights Into the Classical Composer Ludwig van Beethoven
– 200 Years Post Chopin’s Passing, A New Mesmerizing Waltz Is Unveiled
– Scholars Unearth Previously Unknown Music Mozart Created in His Youth
– An Exploration of What Mozart’s Music Sounds Like When Played on His Authentic Pianoforte

References include Graham O’Reilly’s “‘Allegri’s Miserere’ in the Sistine Chapel” and various historical analyses of Allegri’s oeuvre.