Josephine Stephenson is the woman singing the high notes. Gives me goosebumps every time. I listen to this version every night before falling asleep. Clears my head like nothing else will.

What you are hearing is the power of sacred music and a genius masterpiece

As a catholic, this reminds me of church and feeling so relaxed and happy. How amazing to see someone respecting and in awe of this music. Thank you

The beautiful church in this video is called “St Bartholomew-the-Great” and is located within London, England. The Romanesque interiors (shown in the video) were built during the first half of the 1100s. Just subscribed to your channel!

Miserere mei is Latin, meaning Lord have mercy on me

It's breathtakingly beautiful. I like the story of Mozart memorizing the complete music and singing parts at the age of 14. The Vatican had forbidden to copy this music and many composers tried but failed, until young prodigy Mozart heard the music and brought it with him to Vienna in 1770. Instead of being excommunicated he was awarded the Order of the Golden spur.

Apparently some churches were built with measurements that matched the wavelength of specific frequencies/musical notes. So if you had a song in the right mode the whole church would reverberate in its natural frequency.

You are truly moved by this music. In the 1980s, I lived in Manhattan and this was the music the choir sung any given Sunday.

4:22 doesn't that feel like its coming from heaven itself ❤️🕊️

Lyrics Translated (Psalm 51): Have mercy upon me, O God: after Thy great goodness. According to the multitude of Thy mercies, do away mine offences. Wash me thoroughly 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 stablish 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 [show] 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 bullocks upon Thine altar.[11] Original Latin: Miserere mei, Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam. Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a peccato meo munda me. Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco: et peccatum meum contra me est semper. Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci: ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris. Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum: et in peccatis concepit me mater mea. Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti: incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi. Asperges me hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor. Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam: et exsultabunt ossa humiliata. Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis: et omnes iniquitates meas dele. Cor mundum crea in me, Deus: et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis. Ne proiicias me a facie tua: et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me. Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui: et spiritu principali confirma me. Docebo iniquos vias tuas: et impii ad te convertentur. Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, Deus salutis meae: et exsultabit lingua mea justitiam tuam. Domine, labia mea aperies: et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam. Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique: holocaustis non delectaberis. Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: cor contritum, et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies. Benigne fac, Domine, in bona voluntate tua Sion: ut aedificentur muri Ierusalem. Tunc acceptabis sacrificium justitiae, oblationes, et holocausta: tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos.

Isn’t it just wonderful being Catholic! 🤍

The beauty of this touches the soul…I think that’s what it is written for, to be closer to God and the angels. A prayer to beg God for mercy.

The beauty of this masterpiece comes also from the Latin language. Thre are few languages that can transport so much emotions, glory and power, as the Latin language does.

Tenebrae is my favorite chamber choir, they are so passionate and their singing technique is just perfect!

The church is St. Bartholomew the Great in London. Built in 1123

So beautiful, Tenebrae is one of the most famous choir I know.

Pronounced Miz-ah-rare-ah May Day-oos meaning "Have mercy on me, Oh God" and is a version of Psalm 51. Composed by Gregorio Allegri sometime around 1630AD. It's nearly 400 years old and still being performed.

“Once the fires of faith were strong…” - Matthew Arnold And now we warm ourselves at the embers.

It’s powerful because the song is a prayer to God. Miserere mei, Deus is saying Have mercy on me God. Go the the Traditional Latin (High) Mass in a Catholic Church. Gregorian chant is part of the true worship of Jesus Christ

this is latin the most beautiful language and italian, french, and spanish are taken from its. this is from the 1500 from an italian composer

The frequency of such chants is at 437hz which has deep healing and calming effect. We are now rediscovering the effects of frequencies...

LOL, your reaction at 4:22 was priceless! Some fun facts for you: the high notes in this piece would have been performed 300 to 200 years ago by the castrati. These were male singers, castrated as boys at about the age of 10 before puberty to prevent their voices from breaking. They then underwent 8 to 10 years of the most rigorous vocal training known to the history of mankind, being drilled with daily exercises like we drill soldiers today, until they became formidable singing machines capable of singing any piece of music, no matter how difficult. As adults they grew very tall, at least 6 feet, and had barrel-like, massive chests on account of the daily breathing exercises which increased their lung capacity to superhuman volumes. Women at the time were simply not capable of keeping up with these very tall singing machines (well, a few famous ones did, but that's a story for a different day). Those high notes you heard at 4:22 would have been performed by these castrati, who, thanks to their amazing vocal technique would have attacked the note softly at first, then increased the volume, swelling that soaring high note to such an amazing climax that you would have almost fainted away from the sheer, penetrating pleasure. The women who perform this piece today, lacking the training and physical vocal prowess of the castrati, give but a faint glimpse of what it would have sounded like back then. The castrati's performance of this piece was so famous, that people traveled from all over Europe to Rome during the Lent season just to hear them sing it. According to eye witness reports, when you arrived at the Sistine Chapel at Rome, the only place where this was performed, you had to stand in a very long line and wait for hours, just like you do at the theater. It was all a chaotic jumble as little aristocratic old women with sharp elbows would fight their way to the front of the line - the whole ordeal was supposedly very undignified and unbecoming for guests waiting to hear a religious service. Once seated inside the vast church, you had to sit through hours of sermon and other rituals until you finally got to the Misereri, which was the only reason 99% of the audience came there from all over Europe in the first place. Eye witnesses described people going into jaw-dropping ecstasies at the amazing sound of the castrati's soaring high notes which literally shook the cavernous cathedral to its very foundation. The Vatican knew all too well that they had a good thing going and therefore forbade the dissemination of the music score to this piece. They wanted a monopoly on its performances - the proceeds from the thousands of people who flocked from all over Europe to hear it was of course a purely coincidental benefit. Naturally.

Love to see you linking this kind of music and these old churches! Me myself, I am loving this also very much.

When you listen to that kind of music the tears come naturally, I have never heard such heavenly angelic music

I so thoroughly enjoyed watching you experience this. Allegri’s Miserere is easily a top 3 choral work for me if not my #1. I once had the pleasure of experiencing a live performance of this in St Paul’s Cathedral in Minnesota by the Eric Whitacre singers (which happened to include a few voices from this recording). Imagine this listening experience while tilting your head back at a gilded dome ceiling while the 2 choirs are separated both in front and behind you. It’s ecstatic.

One of the beauties that the Catholic Church offers to the world. Just one. Wait to see the rest.

Another good one is Hymn of the cherubim by Tchaikovsky.

Hi sr, I am Brazillian and follow you channel from Minas Gerais. You reaction are so real and intense. You have one on the best channels of reaction on youtube. Please react more chants how: "Dies Irae Gregorian Chant" and "Da Pacem Domine templar chant". Sucess brother! I believe in you!

This is my absolute favorite chant. I listen to it every time I pray. I feel like so few appreciate this kind of music/singing, but reading the comments I’m glad I’m not alone

Allegri was an italian composer of the 15 century and sung in latin.

"She's a siren" -- perfect comment!

This version only had 500k views in December 2019. That's when I found out about it. Once covid started it blew up. Hit 10 million views one year later.

Took me back to my childhood whit my father to gregorian messes. Super, the accoustic in those old churches fits well by this music. super. Love it.

It s called “a cappella” (only voices) chamber music (small groups) I am glad somebody is finally discovered a whole world that has very little difusión in the press but has many people studying and performing all around the world…. I ve been doing this for over 30 years! Welcome to this new (for you) world. Continue listening and digging in the history, lyrics, authors and performers. It s a journey of no return.

This piece was first composed around 1630 by Gregorio Allegri. It's 1.5 times as older than the US itself. :)

That is so beautiful

The only time I ever cried was singing Mi se re re mei.

Gregorio Allegri basing the piece of music on Psalm 51. He wanted to write a piece of music that sang to the heavens, asking the Lord, literally, Have Mercy On Me, Oh Lord. It's just a beautiful piece of writing, that reflected his faith. This was performed in the Sistine chapel for over 100 years.

This is art made with human voices, absolutely Soul touching ✨ then the cathedral Amazing!!

The UK has many extremely good choirs.

It speaks a lot of us today that with such wealth that we have today, we can only build ugly buildings and do consumable music. And look at what a house to their god those people build and what music they composed and sang in his honour.

That last note! Always makes me teary eyed and smile. Such a perfect note!

One of my fav reactions! I listen to this song everyday. So glad it had a profound effect on you my man!! 🤟🏻

As a kid we did hear a lot of Latin singing in church. To bad its gone, so the churches are empthy today.

wow bro, i've never new someone would react to this wonderful piece of orchesta

I had to hit the like button because it was at 999. I would have anyway but its a nice bonus. This video by Tenebrae is one of my faves!

Amazing piece. Love the reaction!!

I know this was ages ago. We used to call it the Angel note x

Heavenly music - and loved your reaction!

Only a certain soul can hit this note!! So magical! ❤❤

thx for that. Iam waiting for this kind of music. Plz. more of them. Greetings from Germany !

this music is almost 450 years old

Hi mate. It's priceless to see such an honest reaction to this performance which was clearly totally new to you. Although I've heard it before, seeing you reacting brought tears to my eyes as though I was hearing it again for the first time. There are lots of facts I've discovered others have already told you about the piece. My only suggestion (not a criticism) is to play the piece again after your reactions (copyright permitting) without any comment. But let's still see your face!

When a friend at I did the tour thought the Vatican and walking into the Sistine chapel is so awww inspiring. Not at big as i thought it would be but so mesmerizing. This takes me back there every time. I'm not catholic by any means.. but you sure can develop a certain respect for it. A must on anyones bucket list thats for sure

Wow bro 🙏🏽🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

You're right about the inhuman note ^^ Most of the time, they'll use a young boy to do that

Mysteriously enough, you seem to hit all the good places in my rather diverse music listening universe. Symphonic metal, Aurora, and now 16th-17th century choral music!

This work is a masterpiece. I'm still as awestruck as I was when I heard it for the first time as a kid.

The mighty soprano of Josephine...

That note was a High C 👍

" she's a siren " Me: 💀 That was funny. I left a like 👍

Mee-sayre-aire-ay may-ee day-oos. It's Latin for "Have mercy upon me, O God."

Highly combustible you’re awesome

Just found your channel. Miserere mei by Allegri is very famous and very beautiful.

For the angels........

even if you are an atheist , this religious "Miserere mei, Deus" will melt you down !

I had shifted away from Christianity by the time I reached my mid-30s, but I've never stopped enjoying sacred choral music just because of its stunning precision and brilliance. Music is a universal language, and the Miserere is one of my favorite examples of a transcendent experience, regardless of your spiritual beliefs.

Ese sentir, que no se puede explicar, es lo sobrenatural de la letra (Salmo 50) Es Dios actuando en tu alma. Es la belleza de la Iglesia Católíca, de lo que no se habla hoy en día, de la vida sobrenatural de la fe y la gracia de Dios. Bellísimo, gracias por este video!! (Thank you for this video!!)

The sound of heaven.

Goosebumps shows it touch's your spirit

Me-say-ray-ray, May- ee, Day, oos. From the Latin. “God have mercy on me…”

Thank you for your reaction. I was in a boys choir in South Africa and we sang this. I sang the high part in the quartet. This was written by Allegri for the Sistene Chapel. And in those days there were only men and boys singing. I still sing and have some videos on KZfaq....

An odd thing I see in comments on videos with this type of music is, people say they wish they could get to see performances like this where they live. This type of music is actually performed with regularity at cathedrals, concert halls, large homes and churches thought UK and Europe, is well attended and is not expensive to attend. I live in a tiny but very old UK city and have been to many concerts at the cathedral which is my neighbour, I've seen many world class performances there, some are broadcast internationally by the BBC so you can even listen for free.

Your face when Josephine Stephenson hit that top note the first time. Brilliant.

Pronounced as ( Me zay ray ray , may , day us) miserere Mei Deus .

I loved this reaction. England has a wonderful tradition of choirs.

Great! Very recommendable as well, the English boy choir Libera:-)

Miserere mei deus, is Latin. It means have mercy on me God.

I have sung this piece. It's the only time I cried singing. Beautiful!!!

Ciao, buongiorno. Tu sei forte!!! Questo è uno dei brani che più amo. Se a qualcuno piace, volevo dire che questo video è una forma ridotta. La forma integrale c'è su KZfaq e bisogna cercare "miserere allegri spartito". Ma si tratta della versione moderna. La versione originale, cercare su KZfaq " miserere allegri sistina". Chiedo scusa ma non sono riuscito a mettere qui i links e il traduttore. Ciao, grazie. Tanti saluti dall' Italia.

It's the Holy Spirit!!

Nice Dice!

the summum of western civilisation. These chants are tech/magic. The highest form of order the western mind could reach. Getting easily to the primordial harmonics. This is the best form of healing. A civilisation tuned into this deserves to last a thousand years and more :)

Beautiful! The music was written for choir of men and boys. You should listen to the choir of Kings College sing this piece. It's very moving to hear the chorister hit those high notes!

this is the closest to heaven I've ever been. sensational

Hi friend. Having chosen this sacred passage in ancient Italian language does you honor. I have now subscribed to your channel. Italian composer year 1415. Greetings from Italy.

Fun fact, the high note sequence wasn't actually in the original. It was put in due to a mistranslation of the music in the 18th century.

Music is maths in action. The groundwork together in harmony because of the exact distance between them. This was originally only allowed to be sung by the choir of the Sistine chapel in the Vatican because it was so special unti, a very young Mozart heard it and wrote it down from memory!!! Clever kid. 😍

Estaba prohibido, so peligro de excomunión, que se copiara esta partitura y únicamente se permitía ejecutarla en un sólo lugar una vez al año. Pero Mozart siendo un niño la escuchó en una ocasión y fue suficiente para aprendérsela de memoria y transcribirla toda. Su padre entregó la partitura a la iglesia para evitar el castigo y el infante recibió a cambio una medalla.

in case your wondering this psalm(51) is a way to ask for mercy and what an incredible version this one is. if it tore your heart out then think of what it does to God the 1 receiving your words and prayers. keep in mind what state you would be in and what crime or wrongdoing you would have done to make such a powerful plead to the Lord. if this rang a bell about pouring your heart out to him then Go do it and feel better, works for me and my students. thank you for your reaction. I heard this masterpiece is a hot topic and they are debating if the High note in it is this or the alternate version that was created which is also excellent as this 1 since the note where secret and not allowed to be known and sung everywhere.(the alternate version from i think "the sixteen") who knows maybe its the original one.

There is no reason that they were stacked up like that. It’s just because they were best person for each of those parts. A few feet in height difference isn’t going to change the sound amplification. Dozens of feet do, like the tenor in the loft.

Bro, You seriously need to do more of this stuff, I recomend You the hilliard ensemble to start the engine, composer arvö part, etc.

Da laico non cattolico dico che questo miserere di Allegri e' una delle partiture piu' belle che siano state composte!

At one time this piece was considered so sacred, it was only sung once a year and looking at the sheet music alone was grounds for excommunication from the church. 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 stablish 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 bullocks upon thine altar.

The soul is real.

I already love it before i have heard it, love church? religius music

Transcendence from darkness to the light of above.

I’m sitting here laughing my ass off at the faces you make 🤣

Gregorio Allegri (Roma, 1582 circa - Roma, 1652)

The "scientific explanation" why "the hair stands on end" is that these people know how to sing after many years of learning. Thank you for this choice, which changes rap and other hip hop.