Miserere mei, Deus ‘Have mercy on me, O God’ by Gregorio Allegri Italian composer Gregorio Allegri most likely completed this adaptation of Psalm 51 in the 1630’s. The work was for the exclusive use of the Sistine Chapel choir during the Holy Week. It is an a cappella for two choirs with either four or five voices depending on the adaptation. The work was closely guarded by the church, with only three approved copes of the work being distributed until the 18th century. In 1770 the fourteen-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart heard this work during the Wednesday Service. According to family letters, Mozart copied the music to manuscript correctly, and was later acknowledged by Pope Clement XIV for this musical ability and given the Order of the Golden Spur.

Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 ‘The Great C major’ by Franz Schubert Schubert completed his 9th symphony in 1826. There is contradictory evidence regarding the first performance of the work, with some correspondence suggesting there was an informal performance as early as 1827. The first confirmed public performance did not take place until 1839, eleven years after the death of Schubert. The reason for the delayed premiere is partially due to the limited funds Schubert had when completing the work in 1826. As Schubert could not afford to organise the performance himself, he sold the manuscript to the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien (Society for Friends of Music in Vienna). Another reason the symphony did not have an immediate premiere is the length and difficulty of the work, considered beyond the abilities of an amateur orchestra. It was in 1838 that Robert Schumann would visit Vienna, and be shown the manuscript of the 9th symphony at the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. He was so impressed with the work he took a copy with him back to Leipzig where the premiere would be given in March of 1839 with the composer Felix Mendelssohn conducting. The subtitle ‘The Great C major’ is due to the length of the symphony (which is longer than most) and to differentiate it from the 6th symphony which was also in C major. The work is comprised of four movements: I. Andante 00:00 – Allegro ma non-troppo 04:21 – Più moto 12:39 II. Andante con moto 14:41 III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace 30:34 IV. Finale. Allegro vivace 41:31

Concerto for Flute, Harp, and Orchestra in C Major, K. 299/297c by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composed in 1778 while Mozart was living in Paris. At the time, the harp was still relatively new to the orchestra and featuring the instrument in this fashion was unusual. Mozart was commissioned for this work by duke Adrien-Louis de Bonnières, duc de Guînes, and the duke’s daughter Marie-Louise Philippine. The duke was a talented flautist and his daughter was taking lessons for the harp. The work is comprised of three movements: I. Allegro II. Andantino III. Rondeau – Allegro

Cavalleria rusticana: Intermezzo by Pietro Mascagni Pietro Mascagni composed his opera ‘Cavalleria rusticana’ (rustic chivalry) in 1890. It is based on the dramatic adaptation of a short story by playwright Giovanni Verga. The work premiered at the Teatro Constanzi in Rome in May of 1890. This Intermezzo is in the latter half of this single act opera.