Having just heard for the first time the Dvorak Requiem, with Jansons live. I took the plunge and ordered two versions (my first buys for the Requiem). They are very low priced both under £2 and thought why not.
Any comments on the work? This is a work I am about to get to know and loved it on first hearing the Jansons (a recording which I now do not have....lost it...) :-X
The two I have on order are Armin Jordan and Karel Ancerl, not knowing what to expect, firstly can anyone shed any light on these recordings prior to hearing, as upon surfing, this seems to be a sparsely recorded work compared to others (any other favourites?); and secondly....has there been a General Requiem thread on these boards ;D
I find it a bit less strong than his Stabat Mater (which in turn is a little weak compared to his immaculate orchestral and chamber music). It's worth listening to, and many may find it worth owning, but not a neglected masterpiece IMO.
Edit: This is not to say that a person cannot have a very strong personal liking for it - I feel the same way about Liszt's Christus oratorio, while realising that some may find it overly long.
Oh wow! A Requiem thread!
Can I be nerdy and start going on about the relative merits of the 13 (or is it 14?) different Brahms German Requiems I own? ;D
I didn't notice that this could be used as a general requiem thread. I guess I can make a good attempt at torpedoing it by requesting discussion about Pedro de Escobar's one (one of the very earliest to survive)... :)
Quote from: Mark on October 23, 2007, 12:15:31 PM
Oh wow! A Requiem thread!
Can I be nerdy and start going on about the relative merits of the 13 (or is it 14?) different Brahms German Requiems I own? ;D
Please do. I only own three and would like additional recommendations. :)
Quote from: Keemun on October 23, 2007, 12:32:56 PM
Please do. I only own three and would like additional recommendations. :)
As time allows, I shall. :)
Which three do you have? I'm guessing the overrated Klemperer* is among them?
*Awaits the wrath of Sarge. ;D
Quote from: Mark on October 23, 2007, 12:42:54 PM
Which three do you have? I'm guessing the overrated Klemperer* is among them?
Klemperer overrated? :o It would take an astronomically high rating for that to be true. :P
Here are the three I have:
Klemperer/Philharmonia
Abbado/BPO
Lehmann/BPO
Quote from: Mark on October 23, 2007, 12:15:31 PM
Oh wow! A Requiem thread!
Can I be nerdy and start going on about the relative merits of the 13 (or is it 14?) different Brahms German Requiems I own? ;D
Did Elgar ever get around to writing a requiem?
Quote from: Keemun on October 23, 2007, 01:17:35 PM
Klemperer overrated? :o It would take an astronomically high rating for that to be true. :P
Here are the three I have:
Klemperer/Philharmonia
Abbado/BPO
Lehmann/BPO
Of these, I currently have only the Klemperer (though why people swoon over it so, I've no idea).
What I recommend depends on what you're looking for. If you want your emotions stirred to the point where your eyes well with tears, get Sinopoli with the Czech Philharmonic - Lucia Popp alone is outstanding, and the maestro's handling of the orchestral swells are as exhilarating as they are exhausting. If clarity of orchestral texture and textual articulation matter to you, then Norrington is your man. His recording with the London Classical Players is about as crystal cut as it gets.
For something more 'old skool' (and a refreshing alternative to Klemperer, who I think sacrifices vocal clarity for orchestral power), give Karajan's EMI BPO version a whirl (the 1977 recording). Had I heard no other version, I could quite happily have settled for this. Whereas, for a recording where everything is beautifully judged, nothing goes to extremes, clarity in instrumentation and voices is near ideal and the sound is excellent, you could do a lot worse than Rattle's BPO outing on EMI, released this year (or was it last year?). I raved about this when I first heard it, and I still think it's a very fine outing indeed, one that will probably not get its due credit for years to come (some recordings just suffer that way ::)).
Final special mentions go to Haitink with the VPO, and Maazel with the New Philharmonia. Both have plenty of magic, though the Haitink (on Philips) benefits from the better engineering.
And one to leave on the shelf? The LSO Live recording with Previn. Nothing especially wrong with it - it just never really takes off.
Quote from: Mark on October 23, 2007, 01:33:32 PM
And one to leave on the shelf? The LSO Live recording with Previn. Nothing especially wrong with it - it just never really takes off.
A mean person could say that this is the story of Previn's life...
Quote from: Lethe on October 23, 2007, 01:37:46 PM
A mean person could say that this is the story of Previn's life...
Quite.
I found the Previn German Requiem a pretty decent effort, more so an event than a high ranking performance. One of those concerts where it would simply have been 'good to be there'.
I do have a particular Karajan recording which I like from 1957 with Lisa Della Casa and Dieskau in fine voice, Vienna PO 1955 live. The sound is on the dry side but a well crafted performance.
Mark, thanks for the recommendations. :)
Quote from: Keemun on October 23, 2007, 02:18:36 PM
Mark, thanks for the recommendations. :)
You're very welcome.
Now burn the Klemperer. >:D
Quote from: Mark on October 23, 2007, 02:20:20 PM
You're very welcome.
Now burn the Klemperer. >:D
No. 0:)
As far as the Verdi Requiem: initially I had a thing for the piece but over time my enthusiasm waned. I've seen it live and will never forget the sight of that huge kettle drum on stage practically dwarfing the rest of the orchestra. And does it take a beating of a lifetime! Really raises the roof!
I used to have the Muti recording on EMI and found it quite good.
another excellent requiem:
Joseph Eybler (1765-1846)
(http://www.jpc.de/image/w300/front/0/6692007.jpg)
and also this one:
Francois-Joseph Gossec (1734-1829)
(http://www.jpc.de/image/w300/front/0/5120965.jpg)
Quote from: wilhelm on October 24, 2007, 01:40:20 AM
another excellent requiem: Joseph Eybler (1765-1846)
and also this one: Francois-Joseph Gossec (1734-1829)
The "Confutatis" from Eybler's C minor Requiem was a real surprise to me, musically. It only lasts 41 seconds, but it's very un-1803. It's not one of my favourite requiems, but there are several moments in there that are really memorable for me.
Gossec's Requiem is one of my favourites though, up there with W.A. Mozart's and Cherubini's (who wrote multiple). It seizes me from the opening, which is a quiet, solo timpani. The Introitus, which is actually the second movement in this requiem, is truly gorgeous.
I don't think Cherubini has been mentioned elsewhere in this thread, but he was one of the masters of the requiem. He would even use them to do some bizarre stuff, like the Dies Irae from his Requiem #1 in C minor. The Requiem in D minor for Male Chorus and Orchestra is impressive also.
If anyone's interested in really going off the beaten track, there's always the Requiem in C minor of João Domingos Bomtempo, which contains some very meditative and subtle music.
Now I'm wondering why I own so many recordings of requiems, considering it's not one of my favourite things. Oh well. I like Cimarosa's, too, but probably not one of my favourites. Joseph Martin Kraus's Requiem is one of the best, though! I think he was a composer of true genius, and I love everything I've heard other than merely liking his solo piano music. After reading about some bizarre theory that all the most famous music by W.A. Mozart and F.J. Haydn was by Andrea Luchesi (???), I went and bought a CD of his music, which was a requiem. The theory was nonsense, of course, including some physically impossible stuff. But this requiem is one of the best I've ever heard. It may actually be my second-favourite requiem of all, after Mozart's! The "Dies Irae" is not at all what is expected, that's for sure! It's quiet and subdued and beautiful, rather than the more power-laden approach usually taken by composers. The "Quantus tremor" follows, opening with horns sounding out almost hunting calls, laced with an organ. Pretty weird and oddly upbeat, following that sorrowful "Dies Irae".
Joseph Eybler was a friend of Mozart's, right, introduced to Mozart by 'Papa'? IIRC Eybler died of a stroke to which he succumbed while conducting a performance of the Mozart K.626.
Quote from: Mark on October 23, 2007, 12:42:54 PM
Which three do you have? I'm guessing the overrated Klemperer* is among them?
*Awaits the wrath of Sarge. ;D
Not only
MY wrath, young Mark, but the wrath of the majority of GMGers who love this Requiem, and the majority of professional music critics. A few samples:
Gramophone: Klemperer's stoic reading, clear-eyed and often quite quick, with its superb solo contribution from Fischer-Dieskau, takes us close to the work's emotional, theological and musical sources. It remains, with the 1948 Karajan recording a uniquely revealing account of the work.
Penguin: Measured and monumental with dynamic contrasts underlined, the result is uniquely powerful.
Inkpot: Klemperer's reading is a very compelling one. Originally recorded in 1961 with the refined soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and baritone Dietrich Fisher-Dieskau as soloists accompanied by Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus, this recording captured all these musicians at the height of their powers. The Philharmonia Chorus does not show any signs of strain against the Orchestra, thanks to Klemperer's sensitive adjustments of both vocal and instrumental forces to achieve the perfect balance of sounds
Music Web recommended recording: Klemperer is in many ways unmatched, with Schwarzkopf and Fischer-Dieskau and a Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus on staggering form. It remains the best sung version on disc, and the recording has worn its years well.
The Guardian (reviewing the Rattle recording): It's a perfectly decent performance, though by no means the equal of the classic recording by Otto Klemperer.
Fanfare (reviewing the Rattle recording): Rattle's Brahms Requiem is second only to Klemperer's
I rest my case ;D
Sarge
Eybler did have a stroke while conducting Mozart's Requiem, in 1833, but did not die from it. He lived about 13 years after that. I suppose the stroke in 1833 could have been the ultimate cause of his death in 1846, though. But I mean it wasn't immediate. Eybler was supposedly introduced to Mozart by J.Haydn. Eybler was in charge of the initial rehearsals for Mozart's Così fan tutte, and conducted some of the earliest actual performances. Eybler helped nurse Mozart during his final illness, and was Constanze's choice to complete her husband's unfinished Requiem.
Many thanks for the enlightenment, Josh!
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on October 24, 2007, 07:10:16 AMThe Philharmonia Chorus does not show any signs of strain against the Orchestra, thanks to Klemperer's sensitive adjustments of both vocal and instrumental forces to achieve the perfect balance of sounds
With this, I couldn't disagree more strongly. I must have ears filled with wax if this is actually true. ;D
As to waving critics' opinions under my nose as your 'case', you should know by now that I pay little heed to such. ;)
It seems two other requiems were omitted:
Zelenka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfpF3HPMXJ8
Salieri
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCO1ldC4Bwc
It seems Salieri's is not very well known and rarely recorded - can anyone recommend a decent performance?
Quote from: Mark on October 23, 2007, 12:42:54 PM
As time allows, I shall. :)
Which three do you have? I'm guessing the overrated Klemperer* is among them?
*Awaits the wrath of Sarge. ;D
I certainly would not call the Klemperer's version as overrated. Having Elisabeth Schwarzkopf among the soloists in that recording has certainly made it a heavy weight among all the serious contenders. It is part of my Brahms' Requiem collection.
Quote from: Mark on October 23, 2007, 12:42:54 PM
As time allows, I shall. :)
Since this thread was started in 2007, I'm wondering how much more time must be allowed. :D
Re: Anthony's original query, I assume that by now, he has heard the two additional recordings he'd ordered of the Dvorak Requiem, and if so and he's still around, I wonder if he might shed some light on how he liked them?
Yes, I wouldn't mind a mini review either, as I've been eying that Apex disc for a while now.
I'd like to put in a recommendation for Roman Maciejewski's Requiem. A bit on the long side, but still one of the finest mass settings to come out of Poland in the 20th century. (And there'll be a chance to hear it in the UK in a couple of months (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,10121.msg261472.html#msg261472) - part of he Polska Year.)
Coincidentally, I was listening to Tubin's Requiem for Fallen Soldiers yesterday (why I would be listening to a requiem on New Year's day I can't tell, but that's what I did ::)). It's a powerful and moving work, but it's hard to like. There is no beauty in it. Very, very pessimistic music.
I have the John Foulds' World Requiem lined up for a listening session. I read good things about it.
Turiddu - I also happened to be listening to requiems on YT today and yesterday :) I suppose this is a result of a subconcious wish to suppress the "fake smile - boring day" nonsense that usually follows such occasions ;-) Even if we have interesting and inspiring companions in our lives, we would still get it from the media. Do not be ashamed Turiddu - that was an antidote ;-)
Re the Brahms Deutsches Requiem: I've been satisfied for years with the Kempe recording (mono 2LP/3 sides, but I've seen references to a CD edition) with Elisabeth Grümer and D. Fischer-Dieskau, Berlin Philharmonic. The Robert Shaw/Atlanta S.O. one on CD is a good one. Leinsdorf with the Boston S.O. goes nowhere.
other Requiems that aren't real masses are *Hindemith's When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd: a Requiem for those we love. The Robert Shaw recording is an absorbing one, has the texts and therefore beats the old LP conducted by Hindemith, and Delius Requiem to the memory of all young artists fallen in the war.
*Saint-Saëns op.54 is a short Requiem Mass and there's Spohr WoO.74, Massenet (c.1963), Leoncavallo (c.1900 for Umberto I), Gounod - one from1842, and the 1890 Requiem in C, * FAURÉ !!!! yes !!! , and *BERLIOZ !!!! Donizetti - for Bellini (unfinished), Zingarelli and Fazzini, Cavalli, Bruckner in d minor
I haven't heard most of the obscure ones listed, but had some references close by so I thought I'd post this. Lots of choice for the Fauré (with organ or with orch.) and Berlioz.
A live performance of the Berlioz is *** (worth the trip)
found on another shelf: Naxos 550 682 Lôbos and Cardoso, BNL 112 758 Micha Requiems
and a mono Berlioz conducted by Beecham BBCL 4011
other requiems that i like#
Durufle - gentle and other worldly - like Faures too beautiful to be a requiem
Delius and Howells wrote fine if underrated requiems
Estonian composer Erkki-Sven Tuur wrote a brill one IMHO :D
Schnittke's Requiem is definitely one of those you don't wanna miss.
Quote from: dm on October 23, 2007, 01:21:06 PM
Did Elgar ever get around to writing a requiem?
No, but he wrote The Music Makers.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/618GPTRE7LL._SL500_AA300_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Edward-Elgar-Music-Makers-Pieces/dp/B000000SLQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1268015665&sr=1-1)
Among the non-requiem Requiems, according to some readings, at least : Shostakovich's Fourteenth Symphony
Re the Music Makers--EMI paired the Boult/LPO recording of that work with the Barbirolli recording of Gerontius for GROC. Janet Baker was the soloist (and one of the soloists in the Gerontius).
Don't recall seeing Faure or Britten's Requiems mentioned (but that's not to say they haven't been).
Has anyone ever written a Requiem as good as Mozart's? 'Cause I've yet to hear one.
Quote from: eyeresist on March 08, 2010, 03:08:28 PM
Has anyone ever written a Requiem as good as Mozart's? 'Cause I've yet to hear one.
Mozart's is unbeatable, but I do love Gilles' (http://www.amazon.com/Gilles-Requiem-Corrette-Carillon-morts/dp/B000025TUQ) (very light and not ominous nor sombre at all).
Quote from: eyeresist on March 08, 2010, 03:08:28 PM
Has anyone ever written a Requiem as good as Mozart's? 'Cause I've yet to hear one.
Mozart is pretty good, but Faure is pretty awesome too. Hmm, maybe Verdi is better...ah...no, no. It must be Brahms, but then I am forgetting Cherubini. Shoot. Dvorak maybe? Arg, so many choices! Oh, wait....I know, I know - Mozart! Err, um.... :-[....maybe I better get back to you on that... :P
I'm still kind of wondering how Anthony liked the Dvorak Requiems he ordered. Maybe he's got a bigger pile of received-music-not-yet-listened-to than most people!
As much as I like the Mozart Requiem, I'd much rather hear the Berlioz, Dvorak, and Berlioz in concert (p'raps not all at the same time, however). And I'd rather sing the Berlioz or Verdi than others, too (though would like to sing the Dvorak, too, because I never have).
Here's a very brief Requiem by Jon Leifs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwCkVqUhX78
and the first parts of what would have been a very long one by Reger, the Latin Requiem op 145a
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8nHkGJHm34
and the Dies Irae
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kms09fj03s&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=EuTHd-NJ-sc
One of my personal favorites is Jean Gilles', the first excerpt can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKskBLVYRTU
The version I have on CD is the Collegium Vocale Gent/Musica Antiqua Köln/Philippe Herreweghe on Archiv.
Quote from: petrArch on October 30, 2010, 06:22:46 AM
One of my personal favorites is Jean Gilles', the first excerpt can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKskBLVYRTU
The version I have on CD is the Collegium Vocale Gent/Musica Antiqua Köln/Philippe Herreweghe on Archiv.
Yes, an excellent work. I had no idea that Herreweghe recorded it twice. I have his Harmonia Mundi version recorded in 1990; the one on Archiv was recorded 1981.
Off the beaten path, Cherubini's Requiems and the World Requiem by Foulds are very dear to me.
Also, a short but very powerful work in the Requiem genre is Langgaard's Fra Dybet.
This person on YouTube seems to be a sort of requiem fan (note the name):
http://www.youtube.com/user/Amantesderequiems (http://www.youtube.com/user/Amantesderequiems) (this blog seems to be an extension: http://requiemvision.blogspot.com/ (http://requiemvision.blogspot.com/))
Lots of stuff to try. Among other things, you can find two excerpts from the Maciejewski I mentioned earlier in this thread. (There's also a completely random, out of focus anonymous video here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulv-TFY4ras))
I'm sure this has been remarked on many times before, but it is piquant that the three most important and moving requiems of the late Romantic (Verdi, Brahms, Fauré) were written by committed agnostics, who seemed to get less religiously inclined with age.
Quote from: Lethevich on October 23, 2007, 12:27:51 PM
I didn't notice that this could be used as a general requiem thread. I guess I can make a good attempt at torpedoing it by requesting discussion about Pedro de Escobar's one (one of the very earliest to survive)... :)
*** bump ***
Fantastic! I've been listening to this work and loving it.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51IBf39WrWL._SS380.jpg)
There are a few other recordings but the Ensemble Gilles Binchois's is the best, I think.
I am glad there is already a thread on requiems, a quiet obsession of mine.
:)
My favourite Requiem is Britten's, followed by Berlioz and Dvorák fighting amongst themselves for 2nd and 3rd place. Not really a big fan of the Verdi though. Too much solo writing for my personal liking. But that's to be expected from an opera composer.
Another favourite of mine is Maurice Duruflé's. The full-orchestra version has a bit more beef to it than the oft-paired Fauré, and the ending has a wonderfully eerie organ part to it.
Requiems I want to hear/get recordings of in the future include Foulds' World Requiem, Stanford's and Saint-Saëns'.
I have a day off and listen to Frank Martin's Requiem - after reading the newspaper... we do live in sad, cruel,testing times...
There's only a fragment of it on YT.
https://www.youtube.com/v/kvxB-pXzSxQ
I have wandered into the realm of the Requiem a few times.....
Joonas Kokkonen has a beautiful requiem which provided me some musical solace and helped me get through the emotional turmoil of the premature death of my cat Lulu last year.
Mozart's Requiem makes MUCH more sense in the Druce completion and no one can convince me otherwise!
Ligeti's Requiem is a stunning masterwork of the 20th century, and I deem it his best work of his middle period and perhaps his best work overall!
Faure's Requiem puts me in a philosophical mood 8)
Quote from: Maestro267 on October 14, 2015, 12:25:40 AM
My favourite Requiem is Britten's, followed by Berlioz and Dvorák fighting amongst themselves for 2nd and 3rd place. Not really a big fan of the Verdi though. Too much solo writing for my personal liking. But that's to be expected from an opera composer.
Another favourite of mine is Maurice Duruflé's. The full-orchestra version has a bit more beef to it than the oft-paired Fauré, and the ending has a wonderfully eerie organ part to it.
Requiems I want to hear/get recordings of in the future include Foulds' World Requiem, Stanford's and Saint-Saëns'.
The Stanford is interesting, but different. Well worth exploring. Same for the Foulds. Both used to be on youtube (assume this is still the case). I'm not as familiar with the Saint-Saens, but I have a recording - will have to listen again. Always good to have an excuse! :)
Quote from: sanantonio on October 13, 2015, 04:30:30 PM
I am glad there is already a thread on requiems, a quiet obsession of mine.
:)
Same here. I will listen to composers I normally would not pay attention to in order to hear their requiem, so a nice way to open the door in some cases. One of my most recent was the Lotti Requiem - very good one. This excellent recording:
[asin]B000026C9U[/asin]
Not yet mentioned but definitely worth hearing:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91Cwa78YSjL._SL1500_.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CClHhRvuL.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91So3%2BvgIBL._SL1500_.jpg)
Quote from: Draško on October 14, 2015, 02:40:25 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91So3%2BvgIBL._SL1500_.jpg)
I just got the Gardiner version last week! It sounded a little oomphier than the Herreweghe on the clips..
Quote from: Draško on October 14, 2015, 02:40:25 AM
Not yet mentioned but definitely worth hearing:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91Cwa78YSjL._SL1500_.jpg)
Guess that would be my very first recommendation! But I'm not that far into requiems 0:)
Quote from: mc ukrneal on October 14, 2015, 02:49:31 AM
I just got the Gardiner version last week! It sounded a little oomphier than the Herreweghe on the clips..
Haven't heard Gardiner, I'm afraid not much of a fan of his. Herreweghe is a clear favorite of three I have/had, the most oomph definitely and doesn't use boy soloists as Malgoire (Virgin, also tends to plod) or Schneebeli (K617) who is probably the gentlest of the three.
Quote from: king ubu on October 14, 2015, 03:26:32 AM
Guess that would be my very first recommendation!
Would be one of mine as well.
Quote from: Maciek on November 23, 2010, 03:28:43 PM
This person on YouTube seems to be a sort of requiem fan (note the name):
http://www.youtube.com/user/Amantesderequiems (http://www.youtube.com/user/Amantesderequiems) (this blog seems to be an extension: http://requiemvision.blogspot.com/ (http://requiemvision.blogspot.com/))
Thanks. Wonderful resources.
Valentin Silvestrov : Requiem for Larissa
(https://musicakaleidoscope.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/silvestrov-1999-requiem-for-larissa.jpg?w=300&h=263) (https://musicakaleidoscope.wordpress.com/2015/10/14/valentin-silvestrov-requiem-for-larissa/)
Valentin Silvestrov composed Requiem for Larissa between 1997 and 1999 as a memorial to his wife, musicologist Larissa Bondarenko, who died in 1996. It is a big and unceasingly somber work, scored for chorus and orchestra. Understandably, this Requiem is to a degree reflective, incorporating musical themes drawn from older works that had special meaning to the couple. While Silvestrov's typically glacial tempos are in evidence here, some of the opening half of the piece has an angular spikiness that recalls serial techniques without actively engaging in them.
A few of my favorites not mentioned yet..
Preisner: Requiem for my Friend - Lacrimosa
https://www.youtube.com/v/1MOkUwbAdEU
Spears: Requiem
Go to time 25:32 for the Kyrie, a nice sample of this piece.
https://www.youtube.com/v/SbQmIhcz3yw
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 14, 2015, 05:07:49 PM
Preisner: Requiem for my Friend - Lacrimosa
https://www.youtube.com/v/1MOkUwbAdEU
+1 for Preisner. I was going to mention that one myself but you got there before me ;)
One that doesn't get mentioned a lot is Herbert Howells' Hymnus Paradisi, a Requiem for his son who died of polio aged 9.
(http://i.prs.to/t_200/melodiyamelcd1001760.jpg)
This cd slumbers in my collection. It is, as far as I remember a work on a grand scale ( cfr Britten's War Requiem). Will listen to it and comment later.
Peter
Those of us interested in the 20th century avant-garde also have our fair share of Requiems (or at least, compositions bearing that title ;) ):
[asin]B000025CWD[/asin]
Henze's "sacred concertos" bearing the titles of the sections of the requiem mass (plus Ave Verum Corpus)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQI9Of0c9PQ/UMYpo8IC8qI/AAAAAAABIso/go0xBJc1TJA/s1600/bussotti+portada.PNG)
The only "requiemy" thing about this is the title IMHO, but it is a fascinating composition (probably Bussotti's masterpiece)
[asin]B000025QZQ[/asin]
A classic. Of course, every time I hear it--which is not often, as I don't particularly enjoy this work ::)--, I expect a black monolith to appear in my living room... ;)
(http://rymimg.com/lk/f/l/4ed2f85438e1cf99d315ecdcd7a6abe5/3085120.jpg)
One of Halffter's more ambitious and emotionally expressive works..
Quote from: sanantonio on October 13, 2015, 04:30:30 PM
*** bump ***
Fantastic! I've been listening to this work and loving it.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51IBf39WrWL._SS380.jpg)
There are a few other recordings but the Ensemble Gilles Binchois's is the best, I think.
I am glad there is already a thread on requiems, a quiet obsession of mine.
:)
That disk seems interesting, but looks like it is out of print.
I listened to the following requiems today. De La Rue's Requiem was a favorite.
[asin]B006SQ72RE[/asin]
Quote from: Artem on October 17, 2015, 08:13:50 PM
That disk seems interesting, but looks like it is out of print.
I listened to the following requiems today. De La Rue's Requiem was a favorite.
[asin]B006SQ72RE[/asin]
You're right, it is available from third party sellers as a disc, but the mp3 is available. I streamed it. Of course the Ockeghem is a masterpieces, and the de la Rue, while not as well known, is also very good.
Aside from the one you listened to, which is excellent,
The Ensemble Organum (already mentioned) is another first rate recording for the Ocheghem, but the same coupling (Ockeghem/de la Rue) can also be found by
The Clerks' Group - which is an older, and probably also only available from third party sellers, but very good recording:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51skq6U-teL._SX425_.jpg)
An interesting take on the Ockeghem Requiem is by
Bent Sørensen:
[asin]B007C7FBLM[/asin]
Ockeghem's Requiem is pretty well served on record. My favorite is Pro Cantione Antiqua on DG Archiv:
(http://s29.postimg.org/qirtiwql3/R_5254617_1388843080_1319_jpeg.jpg)
also in this, unfortunately out of print, box:
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De La Rue is a great piece as well, I have it by Ensemble Clement Janequin, a fine performance.
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Quote from: ritter on October 17, 2015, 02:26:35 AM
Those of us interested in the 20th century avant-garde also have our fair share of Requiems (or at least, compositions bearing that title ;) ):
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Henze's "sacred concertos" bearing the titles of the sections of the requiem mass (plus Ave Verum Corpus)
I wasn't thinking of this one earlier because it isn't really a requiem as one would think of it...a choral mass for the dead. This is a masterpiece I shouldn't have forgotten! Hasn't Schnittke composed a requiem as well?
This recording of the Ockeghem Requiem, coupled with the Requiem by Orlando de Lasso is excellent, and part of a larger series of requiem recordings by the Laudantes Consort/Guy Janssens. If you are unfamiliar with the series, it offers a nice variety of requiems from several periods collected on four volumes (History of Requiem (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=History+of+Requiem+Janssens&rh=n%3A5174%2Ck%3AHistory+of+Requiem+Janssens)).
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Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on October 19, 2015, 02:07:30 AM
I wasn't thinking of this one earlier because it isn't really a requiem as one would think of it...a choral mass for the dead. This is a masterpiece I shouldn't have forgotten! Hasn't Schnittke composed a requiem as well?
Yes, Schnittke has composed a requiem and it is awesome! 8)
Neither ancient nor modern, nor particularly well known. These are 2 of my very favorite requiems, and coincidentally, the composers were best friends. I choose these because I can't spell Oekeghem... ::)
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8)
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on October 19, 2015, 06:51:25 AM
Neither ancient nor modern, nor particularly well known. These are 2 of my very favorite requiems, and coincidentally, the composers were best friends. I choose these because I can't spell Oekeghem... ::)
8)
Hm, perhaps I should revisit this one. My one and only
Michael Haydn disc... Which I only have because Amazon sent it when I ordered some
Beethoven piano trios. ;D
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Quote from: North Star on October 19, 2015, 07:49:57 AM
Hm, perhaps I should revisit this one. My one and only Michael Haydn disc... Which I only have because Amazon sent it when I ordered some Beethoven piano trios. ;D
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His c minor requiem for the Archbishop of Salzburg is generally acknowledged to be one of the best of the Classic Era. Mozart used it as a model for his own, 20 years later. Of course, he was one of M. Haydn's assistants in Salzburg... :)
That's a nice disk, I like it!
8)
re: M. Haydn Requiem
The History of Requiem series, vol. 2, mentioned above, also has a nice recording of the M. Haydn Requiem. Coupled with the Requiem by another Classical era composer, Andre Campra, which is also somewhat under-recorded.
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The
Campra is a beauty. I have Herreweghe's recording in the HM Lumieres box.
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on October 19, 2015, 07:53:41 AM
His c minor requiem for the Archbishop of Salzburg is generally acknowledged to be one of the best of the Classic Era. Mozart used it as a model for his own, 20 years later. Of course, he was one of M. Haydn's assistants in Salzburg... :)
That's a nice disk, I like it!
8)
Interesting. I can't say I know much about
Michael, but that disc is nice indeed.
Listening to this one
Anton Bruckner & Maurice Durufle
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/8155d37BjnL._SX355_.jpg)
A particularly enjoyable one for me, that couples two nice examples. The Durufle Requiem is an old favorite, and I might never had heard the Bruckner work if not for it being added to this disc.
Quote from: sanantonio on October 19, 2015, 08:31:21 AM
re: M. Haydn Requiem
The History of Requiem series, vol. 2, mentioned above, also has a nice recording of the M. Haydn Requiem. Coupled with the Requiem by another Classical era composer, Andre Campra, which is also somewhat under-recorded.
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Quote from: North Star on October 19, 2015, 09:25:12 AM
The Campra is a beauty. I have Herreweghe's recording in the HM Lumieres box.
Interesting. I can't say I know much about Michael, but that disc is nice indeed.
I saw that disk once before. I, also, know little of Campra beyond having heard his name. I also never heard of the band, FWIW. I could well take a shot at that one though.
If you enjoy any sort of Classic Era sacred music, you can ill-afford to not become familiar with M. Haydn. He is the top of the heap! :)
8)
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on October 19, 2015, 10:30:55 AM
I saw that disk once before. I, also, know little of Campra beyond having heard his name. I also never heard of the band, FWIW. I could well take a shot at that one though.
If you enjoy any sort of Classic Era sacred music, you can ill-afford to not become familiar with M. Haydn. He is the top of the heap! :)
8)
Do you know, I actually prefer M Haydn to his brother in many ways. There is something in his music that makes it hard to turn away.
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on October 19, 2015, 10:30:55 AM
If you enjoy any sort of Classic Era sacred music, you can ill-afford to not become familiar with M. Haydn. He is the top of the heap! :)
8)
I listened to the Heyerick disc today, very good indeed, as I recalled.
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on October 19, 2015, 10:30:55 AM
I saw that disk once before. I, also, know little of Campra beyond having heard his name. I also never heard of the band, FWIW. I could well take a shot at that one though.
If you enjoy any sort of Classic Era sacred music, you can ill-afford to not become familiar with M. Haydn. He is the top of the heap! :)
8)
From their website (http://www.laudantes.com/en/show/page/section/intro):
The Laudantes Consort was founded in 1991 by its conductor Guy Janssens, with the aim of performing Renaissance choral music. A series of concerts and a collection of 12 CDs, « L'Age d'Or de la polyphonie vocale européenne » (the Golden Age of European choral polyphony), brought the ensemble international acclaim.
Several awards crowned this achievement and led the Laudantes Consort into the baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary repertoires. Music from the 15th and 16th centuries is performed in small choir format (a dozen singers), whereas the other periods are covered by ad hoc teams of singers and/or players chosen for their specialist knowledge of the given repertoire. This variable geometry has allowed the ensemble to complete another large-scale concert and recording project entitled « Requiem à travers les siècles » (A History of the Requiem), which has also found great favour with the general public and critics alike.
Quote from: mc ukrneal on October 19, 2015, 10:35:36 AM
Do you know, I actually prefer M Haydn to his brother in many ways. There is something in his music that makes it hard to turn away.
I haven't heard anything by Michael that I don't like. I have a lot of his instrumental music as well as his sacred music. Things like his 'St Jerome Mass' are in a class of their own. I think Joseph shows a bit more invention in his instrumental music, but Michael is only a notch below him and Mozart. Much better than most, IMO. :)
8)
Quote from: sanantonio on October 19, 2015, 10:57:02 AM
From their website (http://www.laudantes.com/en/show/page/section/intro):
The Laudantes Consort was founded in 1991 by its conductor Guy Janssens, with the aim of performing Renaissance choral music. A series of concerts and a collection of 12 CDs, « L'Age d'Or de la polyphonie vocale européenne » (the Golden Age of European choral polyphony), brought the ensemble international acclaim.
Several awards crowned this achievement and led the Laudantes Consort into the baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary repertoires. Music from the 15th and 16th centuries is performed in small choir format (a dozen singers), whereas the other periods are covered by ad hoc teams of singers and/or players chosen for their specialist knowledge of the given repertoire. This variable geometry has allowed the ensemble to complete another large-scale concert and recording project entitled « Requiem à travers les siècles » (A History of the Requiem), which has also found great favour with the general public and critics alike.
May I assume an organ, 2 violins and a bass for accompaniment? Possibly a theorbo or archlute? I see Campra is French and falls between Lully and Rameau. The sacred music of that place and time are new to me, making the temptation that much greater. :)
8)
A late Romantic rarity from Belgium: Peter Benoit's Requiem ( 1863).
Philippe Herreweghe gives a subtle account:
https://www.youtube.com/v/2KCRKgtNJzU
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Benoit
The Musical World, vol. 41/40 (October 3, 1863): 637.
BRUSSELS.– On Wednesday, the 23rd inst., at the funeral service
celebrated in the Cathedral of St. Gudule, in memory of those persons
who died for the national independence of Belgium, in 1830, the fourth
part of M. Pierre Benoît's Quadrilogie religieuse was performed. We
have already recorded the great success of the first three parts, and the
marked progress evident between each of them. The "Requiem" we
heard on Wednesday completes in the most happy manner the Quadrilogie,
and the effect was greater than that of any of M. Benoit's previous
compositions. We will not attempt, after a single hearing, to analyse
all the numerous details of this masterly production. We will merely
state that it is distinguished for the grace and elevation of its melodic
ideas, the richness of the instrumentation, the truly religious breadth
of its style, and a certain harmonic audacity, possessing the best possible
justification – success. The pieces which produced the deepest impression
were the "Dies lrae" and the "Agnus Dei." Their greatest
merit in our opinion is, not to speak of the melodic and instrumental
excellence they reveal, their essentially religious character, and the
feeling of profound sadness they leave upon the mind. What greater
praise can be awarded to a funeral service? We learn with pleasure
that M. Benoît is getting up a grand concert at which the most striking
pieces in his Quadrilogie will be performed. This concert will take
place about the end of October, and similar ones will be organised in
the principal towns of Belgium. M. Benoît has, moreover, conceived
the idea of a grand theatrical work, or dramatic trilogy, in three
operas, to be entitled respectively, Ambiorix. Thierry d'Alsace, and
Guillaume le Taciturne. The reader will perceive that M. Benoît has
chosen three grand figures in our history, personifying three grand
epochs: that of the struggle of our ancestors against the domination of
the Romans, that of the enfranchisement of the "Communes." and,
lastly, that of the resistance of the United Provinces to the religious
despotism of Philip II.– L'Etoile Belge.
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on October 19, 2015, 11:01:32 AM
May I assume an organ, 2 violins and a bass for accompaniment? Possibly a theorbo or archlute? I see Campra is French and falls between Lully and Rameau. The sacred music of that place and time are new to me, making the temptation that much greater. :)
8)
I've excerpted a quote from the Music-Web International review of the recording:
The Laudantes Consort have gone to some trouble to play Campra's piece at the correct pitch and with suitable instruments of the period. They have also had to consider issues of ornamentation and style. But regarding the choir they are still using women on the top two lines.Read more: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2008/Sept08/campra_cyp1651.htm#ixzz3p2h81L00
Quote from: sanantonio on October 19, 2015, 11:09:16 AM
I've excerpted a quote from the Music-Web International review of the recording:
The Laudantes Consort have gone to some trouble to play Campra's piece at the correct pitch and with suitable instruments of the period. They have also had to consider issues of ornamentation and style. But regarding the choir they are still using women on the top two lines.
Read more: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2008/Sept08/campra_cyp1651.htm#ixzz3p2h81L00
Thanks for that info. I certainly don't feel badly gettnig another copy of the M. Haydn either, it is an excellent work. :)
8)
Just ordered this; yet another one to add to the 20th century requiems--this one
pre-avantgarde...
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GMGer
pjme gave us a splendid account of te world première 6 years ago now:
Quote from: pjme on November 24, 2009, 12:43:49 PM
I was in Venice/Italy last week and purely by chance discovered that La Fenice was to open its symphonic season with the worldpremiere performance of Bruno Maderna's ( early) Requiem. (Maderna °1920)
The work was thought to be lost, but in 2006 was discovered by Italian musicologist Veniero Rizzardi in New York University Library (Purchase College). Apparently, Maderna gave the score to Virgil Thomson who tried to get the work performed. Nothing came of it and the requiem was largely forgotten.
It is pre-dodecafonic Maderna and echoes of Stravinsky and Hindemith can be detected - because of the scoring ( large string orchestra, no woodwinds, full brass,including 8 horns, and three pianos+ percussion), I was also reminded of Dallapiccola's Canti di prigionia( 1938-1941) or Petrassi's Coro di morti(1941) Still, it has a soundworld of its own and veers from the very dramatic ( Verdi-an bass drum!) to the gently angelic ( tinkling pianos in the Agnus Dei!).
The work opens very effectively with the chorus a Capella. Tenor and bass soloists deal with the more terrible texts, soprano and mezzo join the ensemble only in the second half for Agnus dei and Benedictus.
La fenice had no special information leaflet on the event ( I did not buy the 18€ complete season booklet), nor did they explain why Riccardo Chailley wasn't able to conduct. Anyway, maestro Andrea Molino did a splendid job. The soloists where not topnotch : Carmela Remigio, soprano, Veronica Simeoni, mezzo ( the best of the 4), tenor Mario Zeffiri ( a weak, shrill voice) and bass Simone Alberghini. La Fenice chorus & orchestra performed well.
So, a very nice and exciting addition to a brief vacation in La serenissima. Let's hope Chailley will record it ( dur. ca 60 mins.) with better soloists....
P.
Cheers,
Peter! :)
De rien! :)
Wish I was back in Venice...It was a great experience then and am happy to see the work recorded.
I will report later on the Artyomov - extatic sopranos, eerie piano sounds and all kinds of bells, thundering organ and , yes, bass drum... and one magic moment!
Peter
Some poetry I've just discovered but with musical relevance, so I'm posting it here.
Mozart's Requiem.
" Of its own beauty is the mind diseased,
And fevers into false creation." Childe Harold.
A Requiem ! — and for whom?
For Beauty in her bloom ?
For Valour fall'n? — a broken Rose or Sword?
A dirge for King or Chief,
With pomp of stately grief,
Banner, and torch, and waving plume deplored ?
Not so — it is not so !
The warning voice I know,
From other worlds a strange mysterious tone ;
A solemn funeral air
It call'd me to prepare,
And my heart answer'd secretly — My own !
One more then— one more strain,
In links of joy and pain
Mighty the troubled spirit to enthral !
And let me breathe my dower
Of passion and of power,
Full into that deep lay — the last of all !
The last ! — And I must go
From this bright world below,
This realm of sunshine, ringing with sweet sound !
Must leave its festive skies,
With all their melodies,
That ever in my breast glad echoes found !
Yet have I known it long—
Too restless and too strong
Within this clay hath been th' o'ermastering flame;
Swift thoughts that came and went,
Like torrents o'er me sent,
Have shaken, as a reed, my thrilling frame.
Like perfumes on the wind,
Which none may stay or bind,
The Beautiful comes floating through my soul ;
I strive with yearnings vain
The spirit to detain
Of the deep harmonies that past me roll.
Therefore disturbing dreams
Trouble the hidden streams
And springs of music, that o'erflow my breast;
Something, far more divine
Than may on earth be mine,
Haunts my worn heart, and will not let me rest.
Shall I then fear the tone
That breathes from worlds unknown ?—
Surely these feverish aspirations there
Will grasp their full desire,
And this unsettled fire
Burn calmly, brightly, in immortal air.
One more then — one more strain,
To earthly joy and pain
A rich, and deep, and passionate farewell !
I pour each solemn thought
With fear, hope, trembling fraught,
Into the notes that o'er my dust shall swell.
Felicia Hemans, 1828
Here's a vote for Delius' Requiem. A work that has seldom been performed/recorded and is dedicated to the victims of WWI.
https://www.youtube.com/v/5EmvaB79vYk
Giovanni Sgambati : Italian pianist and composer (https://musicakaleidoscope.wordpress.com/2015/11/04/giovanni-sgambati-italian-pianist-and-composer/)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61m9JOcGd5L._SX355_.jpg)
His most extensive work, a Requiem Mass, was performed in Rome 1901. His many pianoforte works have won permanent success. Sgambati was also active in the contemporary musical scene as a promoter of the music of others. He conducted the Italian premieres of Beethoven's third and of seventh symphonies (in 1867 and 1870 respectively). He also conducted the Italian premieres of more recent works such as Liszt's Dante Symphony and Christus oratorio.
Edison Denisov : won world acclaim while he was denounced by Soviet authorities at home (https://musicakaleidoscope.wordpress.com/2015/11/24/edison-denisov-won-world-acclaim-while-he-was-denounced-by-soviet-authorities-at-home-onthisday/)
(https://musicakaleidoscope.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/denisov2.jpg?w=300&h=300)
HIs Requiem, scored for soprano, tenor, chorus, and orchestra, sets poems by Francisco Tanzer and liturgical texts, is in five movements.
Bernat Vivancos : a search for a spirituality (https://musicakaleidoscope.wordpress.com/2015/11/25/bernat-vivancos-a-search-for-a-spirituality/)
(https://musicakaleidoscope.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/vivancos2.jpg?w=200&h=200)
Requiem was released by Neu Records in September 2015.
Jeff Myers : Requiem Aeternam (https://musicakaleidoscope.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/jeff-myers-requiem-aeternam/)
(http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BdqFgkY4rDo/hqdefault.jpg)
Jeff Myers's "Requiem Aeternam," performed by the JACK Quartet and mezzo-soprano Rachel Calloway, revealed a gorgeously multi-colored composition set to Filipino, Italian, German and English texts from poets and the Christian mass for the dead. Myers's use of pianissimo, breath and silence within the rich kaleidoscope of vocalism and subtle string writing produced a stunning work that deserves multiple hearings.