1959 – The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
Live broadcast from the chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, Ash Wednesday 11 February 1959. Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, under the direction of Sir David Willcocks.
Performance type: Traditional
Performances of Allegri’s Miserere that include the famous high ‘C’ as most commonly heard today. “Traditional” recordings in the Discography do not include additional ornamentation beyond what is included in the published score.
1964 – The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
1963 landmark recording of Allegri’s Miserere featuring treble soloist Roy Goodman, set in the context of Choral Evensong for Ash Wednesday.
1964 – The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
BBC Choral Evensong broadcast live from King’s College, Cambridge on Ash Wednesday 12th February 1964 contained almost the same content, including Allegri’s Miserere, as the recording made in March 1963. That recording also became available one year after it was made, in the same month as this live broadcast.
1965 – The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
1963 landmark recording of Allegri’s Miserere featuring treble soloist Roy Goodman – reissued in 1965 as a 45 rpm EP.
1967 – The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
BBC Choral Evensong broadcast live from King’s College, Cambridge on Ash Wednesday 8th February 1967, conducted by David Willcocks.
1971 – Guildford Cathedral Choir
Guildford Cathedral Choir toured the north-west of England during the summer of 1971, and this private recording was made at the final concert of the series on 30th July 1971 at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. The music was sung from different locations within the building. The Miserere is sung in English.
1972 – The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
This compilation album was released in 1972, the same year the curator of miserere.org was born. The ‘World of King’s opens with ‘Zadok the Priest’ (Handel) and besides the ‘Miserere’ contains treasures such as ‘This is the record of John’ (Gibbons) and Croft’s ‘Burial Service’ – notable in the King’s recording for being sung in procession around the chapel. For many, this will be the first time that the ‘Miserere’ was heard, and the release of this compilation was, in our opinion, part of the reason that Allegri’s ‘Miserere’ is so recognisable and appreciated today.
1973 – The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge
BBC Choral Evensong broadcast live from St John’s College, Cambridge on Ash Wednesday 7th March 1973, directed by George Guest.
1973 – Martindale Sidwell Choir
A transcription of a concert by the Martindale Sidwell Choir and the Jaye Consort of Viols from 1973 in support of the Fenton House appeal. Miserere mei by Allegri, behold thou hast made my days by Gibbons, Byrd – Ne irascaris, Domine – civitas sancti tui and The seven last words by Heinrich Schutz plus an extra track by the St Clement Danes Chorale of the Malcolm Sargent arrangement of ‘de virgin Mary had a baby boy’. [Although technically a re-release, this entry has been placed at the correct position in the timeline of the Discography]
1976 – St Paul’s Cathedral Choir
A private recording made during Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral in March 1976, with the cathedral choir, directed by Barry Rose. The solo quartet sang from the Whispering Gallery. [ARCM]