Stabat Mater - a hymn originated in the 13^th century that has been attributed to Jacopone da Todi, is one of the most powerful medieval poems of all times which evokes the suffering of Mary, Jesus Christ's mother, during his crucifixion. The lyrics of this hymn, usually sung during Holy Week, were a great source of inspiration for composers, such as, Palestrina, Pergolesi, Alessandro and Domenico Scarlatti, Vivaldi, Haydn, Rossini, Dvořák, Szymanowski, Poulenc and Arvo Pärt.

Around 1880, the name of the Czech composer, Antonin Dvořák, became acknowledged worldwide. Subsequently, Cambridge University awarded him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa for both Stabat Mater and his Seventh Symphony. There had been some unfortunate moments in Dvořák's life regarding his family (the loss of three of his children). This inspired him to compose a score with funeral accents, having the traditional Stabat Mater as model. The project came to life in 1877, being a kind of refuge for the musician, who would express through music the pain that a parent feels when losing a child.

On 4^th April, on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter and the last day of Holy Week in which Catholics and Protestants commemorate the day that Jesus Christ's body was laid in the tomb, Radio Romania Music, at 14:05, on World concerts, invites you to listen to Antonin Dvořák's Stabat Mater in an outstanding performance by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Soloists: soprano Luba Orgonásová, contralto Birgit Remmert, tenor Piotr Beczala and base Franz Hawlata.