Tallis Scholars - "Miserere mei, Deus" - Gregorio Allegri

This recording of Gregorio Allegri's glorious Miserere is perhaps the purest, most definitive sound ever achieved by a professional choir. It was performed by the Tallis Scholars under the direction of Peter Phillips and recorded by Gimell Records in the early 1980s.

Gregorio Allegri - "Miserere Mei, Deus"

English translation

Have mercy upon me, O God, after Thy great goodness
According to the multitude of Thy mercies do away mine offences.
Wash me throughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me.
Against Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified in Thy saying, and clear when Thou art judged.
Behold, I was shapen in wickedness: and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
But lo, Thou requirest truth in the inward parts: and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness: that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.
Turn Thy face from my sins: and put out all my misdeeds.
Make me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
O give me the comfort of Thy help again: and establish me with Thy free Spirit.
Then shall I teach Thy ways unto the wicked: and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou that art the God of my health: and my tongue shall sing of Thy righteousness.
Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord: and my mouth shall shew Thy praise.
For Thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it Thee: but Thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt Thou not despise.
O be favourable and gracious unto Sion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations: then shall they offer young calves upon Thine altar.

Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino - "Miserere mei, Deus" - Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652)

The Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino was founded in 1959 by its current conductor, Father Michaël Ghijs. Its members are all pupils or former pupils of the St. Martin's Institute, a regular secondary school in Aalst, a town approximately 25 km from Brussels, the center of Europe. The aim of the choir, as its name expresses, is to sing to the Lord. The choir consists of 90 persons, boys and men, aged between 10 and 40.

The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge - "Miserere Mei, Deus" - Allegri

The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge has established itself as one of the leading mixed-voice choirs in the UK. The Choir comprises around thirty Choral Scholars (all of whom are ordinarily undergraduates of the College) under Director of Music, Stephen Layton.

The College’s long and distinguished choral tradition dates back to the fourteenth century, when former Chapel Royal choristers studied in King’s Hall, which later became part of Trinity College. The Choir’s main focus during term is the singing of the liturgy in the College Chapel, exploring a wide-ranging repertoire drawn from both Catholic and Protestant traditions.