Dvořák – Stabat Mater

A jewel of choral music, Antonín Dvořák’s Stabat Mater is a musical setting of Jacopone da Todi’s powerful and immediate medieval poem. This highly-religious text tells of Mary lamenting her son at the foot of the cross.

Dvořák began writing the piece under a cloud of great personal tragedy – coming to terms with the death of his daughter Josefina. Tragically still, by the time the work was completed two more of his children had passed away. In a time when the composer was at his darkest and most tormented, he created a portrait of grace and peace so compelling, it can’t help but give comfort to all that encounter it.

Set in ten movements for a large orchestra, chorus and four soloists, the composer refuses to allow despair to overwhelm him; his music reflects neither resignation nor hopelessness. In this, Dvořák’s masterpiece, we look through a veil of tears and see faith in life – as if the music floats off to heaven itself.