Dvorak's Stabat Mater stands out as a remarkable piece, holding the record for the longest Stabat Mater I'm aware of, running for approximately 85 minutes and employing the largest musical forces. It's a unique blend, resembling a symphonic poem, a German oratorio, and an Italian opera. I'll admit, it took me a while to adjust to its grandeur, initially feeling it might be too massive for its subject. However, once I delved into its origins, I discovered it was penned from the depths of Dvorak's heart, following the loss of several children. This personal tragedy lends the composition a Requiem-like character. Dvořák's focus is not merely on the treatment of individual words or ideas in the text, but rather on conveying the fundamental moods and visions encapsulated in the poem.
Premiering successfully in Prague under Adolf Čech in 1880 and receiving acclaim in London in 1883, Dvořák was even invited to conduct a performance at the prestigious Albert Hall in London.
The text itself is a devotional poem written in 13th-century Latin, likely by the Franciscan monk Jacopone da Todi. It begins with the grief of the Virgin Mary at Christ's crucifixion but transforms into a prayer, written in the first person and addressed to the Virgin. In this intimate dialogue, the writer expresses a longing to be reunited with Christ. The poem concludes with a hopeful vision of resurrection.
While one might expect a work with such somber themes to be overwhelmingly gloomy, the Stabat Mater is surprisingly uplifting. The composition weaves shifts in mood from grief and near despair to hope and faith across its ten movements, culminating in the ecstatic final movement, "Quando corpus morietur," radiating overwhelming confidence. In the concluding minutes, the orchestra briefly falls silent, allowing the choir to erupt unaccompanied into a profound hymn of praise:
"When my body dies, grant that to my soul be given the glory of paradise."
The orchestra then returns to accompany the choir for the final "Amen," making this one of the most powerful declarations of faith in the history of music.
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904), born in Nelahozeves, Czechia, began his
musical journey later than some, being the son of a village butcher.
Nevertheless, by just over thirty years of age, Dvořák had already
achieved worldwide recognition, with his Slavonic Dances contributing
significantly to his fame. He is celebrated as a quintessential Czech
composer and a representative of both the Romantic movement.
The personal tragedy of losing his daughter Josefa in 1875 prompted
Dvořák to compose the initial version of his Stabat Mater for four
soloists, choir, and piano. However, the work remained unorchestrated as
he set it aside. The subsequent loss of two more children in 1877 led
him to revisit the manuscript, giving the composition a more profound
emotional depth. Despite its mix of genres, the Stabat Mater is ultimately an expression from
the heart, concluding in a major key, symbolizing hope.
Listen to: hr-Sinfonieorchester – Frankfurt Radio Symphony ∙ MDR-Rundfunkchor ∙
Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, Sopran ∙ Gerhild Romberger, Alt ∙ Benjamin Bruns, Tenor ∙ Günther Groissböck, Bass ∙ Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Dirigent
Choral Masterworks