Miserere mei, Deus

December 3rd, 2022

I cannot stop listening to this composition:

I heard it for the first time in my life only a week ago. It grabbed my attention immediately and in such a way that I stopped what I was doing and closed my eyes and just listened, trembling in deep awe. Then I listened to it again and again. I looked for different performances of it from various choral ensembles — but to be honest, I don't hear much of a difference between different versions and performances in my untrained and vulgar ears.

I am not religious, far from it. Frequently, I do feel spiritual, that’s for sure, but it doesn't matter now, this composition transcendences any particular religion or dogma or belief and aesthetic, or even time. It made me quiver while I was trying to remember or find some words of already long-forgotten prayers. I felt understanding and piety I had no idea I had in me. I haven't felt consumed by anything in such a way in a long time, maybe never.

The perfection of harmony and timbre of all the voices in unison is spellbinding in this composition. And the fact that all this is created by just the human voices, voices trained and selected and in control is a revelation to me. I have no slightest idea about classical music, it was never of any interest to me or in any way relevant to the music I listened to. And that is about to change. I already feel an itch for a new discovery of something hugely extensive and right there, just waiting for me to dive in and learn and admire.