Antonín Dvořák: Stabat Mater, Op. 58
Stabat Mater dolorosa
Quis est homo, qui non fleret
Eja, Mater, fon amoris
Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
Tui nati vulnerati
Fac me vere tecum elere
Virgo virginum praeclara
Fac, ut portem Christi mortem
Inflammatus et accensus
Quandus corpus morietur
Stabat Mater, Op. 58 by Antonín Dvořák, is one of the most profound and sublime sacred works in the history of classical music. This monumental piece, born out of profound personal tragedy, is also a testament to the strength of the human spirit, faith, and hope.
Tragic losses in Dvořák’s life shaped the composition. In 1875, shortly after birth, his daughter Josefa passed away, and in 1877, he suffered the loss of two more children. Dvořák found solace in his work, and the audience recognized this at the premiere in 1880 in Prague. His Stabat Mater immediately captivated listeners with its power and emotional depth.
Though inspired by tragedy, Stabat Mater is a journey toward hope. Across ten movements, Dvořák masterfully intertwines dark tones of sorrow with moments of sublime comfort and light. The moving solos and choral passages, combined with rich orchestration, guide the listener through all stages of emotional healing—from grief and suffering to faith in renewal and salvation. Particularly striking is the final Amen, where the choir delivers a powerful hymn of faith, followed by the orchestra joining in a triumphant affirmation of hope.