[CLASSICAL MUSIC] Dvořák's Choral Masterpiece 🎻

When Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) wrote his first sacred piece, he chose the Catholic hymn Stabat Mater, attributed to the Franciscan monk Jacopone da Todi (~1230-1306), which describes mother Mary's reaction to the suffering and death of her son on the cross. Stabat Mater in fact means "suffering mother" in latin and the text describes how Mary stands at the cross next to Jesus and shares his suffering.

The work is very much autobiographical. Its creation is intimately linked to the tragedy that hit Dvořák himself, when he in less than two years, between 1875 and 1877, lost three of his children. The grief obviously shines through, sincere and intimate, but the composer never seems to be overwhelmed by despair and remains hopeful. In spite of the dark theme, the music is incredibly light and accessible and it's overflowing with beautiful melodies. It's as if the simple and almost childlike Bohemian character of Dvořák can't be erased by even the harshest tragedy.

Stabat mater dolorósa
juxta Crucem lacrimósa,
dum pendébat Fílius.

At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to her Son to the last.

Stabat Mater is one of Dvořák's most extensive compositions, both in terms of length and musical richness and depth. The voice, rather than the orchestra, is the most important means of expressing emotion. Pain, anxiety and moments of despair alternate with caressing fragility and finally acceptance and salvation. The music both challenges and comforts, with soft brush strokes, but at the same time doesn't deny that we can't escape the reality of sorrow, which reaches a level of universal grandeur in this work. Stabat Mater is divided into ten movements and sung by four soloists - soprano, alto, tenor and bass - and a mixed choir. Enjoy the 90 minutes of deep spiritual journey, in this performance by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of their chief conductor Mariss Jansons.

 @SteemSwede