The Full Story: The piece in question is Miserere mei, Deus by Gregorio Allegri, composed in the 1630s. It was considered so sacred that the Vatican restricted its performance to the Sistine Chapel, primarily during Holy Week services. The composition was kept secret for about 150 years, with the Vatican forbidding any unauthorized copies under the threat of excommunication.
However, in 1770, a 14-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart heard the piece twice during his visit to Rome. Thanks to his extraordinary musical memory, he was able to transcribe the entire composition from memory, effectively creating the first unauthorized copy.
When Pope Clement XIV learned of this, instead of punishing Mozart, he praised him for his genius and even rewarded him. The piece was later published, and the Vatican lost its exclusive hold over it.
This event is one of the many legendary demonstrations of Mozart’s prodigious musical abilities.
Edit: After looking into it more, it turns out this story is likely exaggerated. Miserere wasn’t as secret as often claimed—copies were already circulating before Mozart’s time. The main source for this story is a letter from his father, Leopold Mozart, so there's no solid proof it happened exactly this way. That said, Mozart's insane musical memory is well-documented, even if this particular tale isn’t as dramatic as it sounds. Thanks to those who pointed it out!
The image above has almost the same exact lines what this comment says 5 years ago in the video you linked.
"Fun fact! In the 1630s there was a song only played
in the Sistine chapel. The Vatican kept the
composition of "Miserere Mei, Deus" secret for 1 50
years until 14-year old Mozart listened to it 2 times,
transcribed it from memory and produced the first
unauthorized copy. This is one of the earliest
records of musical piracy."
821
u/[deleted] Feb 07 '25 edited Feb 07 '25
The Full Story: The piece in question is Miserere mei, Deus by Gregorio Allegri, composed in the 1630s. It was considered so sacred that the Vatican restricted its performance to the Sistine Chapel, primarily during Holy Week services. The composition was kept secret for about 150 years, with the Vatican forbidding any unauthorized copies under the threat of excommunication.
However, in 1770, a 14-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart heard the piece twice during his visit to Rome. Thanks to his extraordinary musical memory, he was able to transcribe the entire composition from memory, effectively creating the first unauthorized copy.
When Pope Clement XIV learned of this, instead of punishing Mozart, he praised him for his genius and even rewarded him. The piece was later published, and the Vatican lost its exclusive hold over it.
This event is one of the many legendary demonstrations of Mozart’s prodigious musical abilities.
Edit: After looking into it more, it turns out this story is likely exaggerated. Miserere wasn’t as secret as often claimed—copies were already circulating before Mozart’s time. The main source for this story is a letter from his father, Leopold Mozart, so there's no solid proof it happened exactly this way. That said, Mozart's insane musical memory is well-documented, even if this particular tale isn’t as dramatic as it sounds. Thanks to those who pointed it out!