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Stabat Mater Dolorosa is considered one of the greatest Latin hymns of all time, dating back to around the 13th century and often translated “the sorrowful mother was standing”. Set to music by large number of prominent composers, here the Glasgow Chamber Choir are performing two beautifully contrasting settings from the 16th and the 21st centuries accompanied by a chamber orchestra.
MacMillan
Few living composers communicate with the emotional directness of Sir James MacMillan and his Stabat Mater received rave reviews at its premiere in 2016. For MacMillan ‘beauty is at the heart of our Christian faith’ and the Stabat Mater is profoundly shaped by his beliefs.
The piece sets the 20 verses of the Stabat Mater in four movements, portraying the human relationship of mother and child, alongside Mary’s role as intercessor between man and God.
“Both sides of MacMillan are to be found here, the devotional and the painter of bold dramatic canvases – the former in the ethereal writing for solo and ensemble voices, the latter in the lacerating blows and feverish anxieties depicted in the string ensemble.” Financial Times (2016)
This is an important musical challenge for the choir, and a wonderful opportunity for Glasgow audiences to hear this powerful piece performed in the beautiful setting of St Aloysius Church.
Listen to Sir James MacMillan in this behind the scenes clip during the recording with The Sixteen and the Britten Sinfonia:
Palestrina
Palestrina was the most important composer of 16th century Italy. His monumental Stabat Mater for unaccompanied double choir was composed at the end of the 16th century for Pope Gregory XIV and became one of the most admired pieces of music in the Pope’s private chapel.