There is no doubt in my mind that this piece gets better and better every time you listen to it. Each time you pick up on things you didn't hear before, such is the complexity of the writing. A 20th century masterpiece without doubt.
Pity there is no DVD of this masterpiece's magnificent performance avaiable on the market. It is so moving and musically superb. Great singers, wonderful choir and orchestra under Sir Elliot Gardiner. Bravi tutti.
I see that your original comment was four years ago. There are several versions of this available on Amazon, including this performance. It was also made into a Laser Disc, which I thought was surprising. I strongly doubt that version is still available. I even more strongly doubt that there are any surviving laser disc players available.
... sehr beeindruckende, straffe Auffführung (Maestro Gardiner!) dieses großartigen Werks - an nachdenklich stimmender Lübecker Stätte - mit der zerbrochenen Glocke...
Thos is a major score of our century, no possible mistake about it. What a great idea than the insertion of pacifist text inside the RRequiem mass, the reuqiem inside the requiem, the choir inside the cgoir, the orchestra inside the orchestra ! John Eliot Gardiner did not mistake about his enter into the XXth Century.
It took me quite a few performances and hearings to learn that the Libera Me is a long lead up to battle, with guns heard in the distance, then we are over the top at 1:07:50. The terrifying climax at 1:08:30 is the cry of death.
This requiem is so challenging to listen to for the first time. My advice is to presevere and listen over and over. Don't expect the immediate beauty you hear with say Ockegheim, Mozart, Haydn, Berlioz, Rutter, Faure, Duruflé, LLoyd Weber, Howard Goodhal or the immediately loveable Karl Jenkins! It is well worth the effort you invest in it! Like the LIgeti or John Fransen Requiem it takes time to reveal itself to you in all its superb glory. For example, listen to the brilliant brass writing at 11:34 & 12:30, that is some Dies Irae! For Tubists look out for the muted Tuba at 14:01
We Americans are so self-conscious. I, a fellow American, am more interested in China’s first performance. Or Russia’s, esp considering all the woe they caused by preventing Vishnevskaya from singing the Premiere. NB: I love Heather Harper’s performance at that!
Please don’t hate me for this, but I find both Britten recordings, even the Live televised one in 1962 (I think) ever more compelling, exciting, NOW. PS. This is ofc excellent.
Yes, the live TV broadcast was in fact from 1964: a BBC Prom concert on 4 August that marked to the day the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of WWI. The recording of the (somewhat chaotic) first performance in 1962 in Coventry Cathedral, cond. Meredith Davies with the composer as second conductor (boys, Melos Ens.), is on Testament SBT 1490. The intended Vishnevskaya was 'indisposed' by the Soviet regime (irony not a big thing with those guys): Heather Harper learnt the part at very short notice and is absolutely wonderful.
There is no doubt in my mind that this piece gets better and better every time you listen to it. Each time you pick up on things you didn't hear before, such is the complexity of the writing.
A 20th century masterpiece without doubt.
David A
I agree with you.
Pity there is no DVD of this masterpiece's magnificent performance avaiable on the market. It is so moving and musically superb. Great singers, wonderful choir and orchestra under Sir Elliot Gardiner. Bravi tutti.
There isn’t?! It may come. Patience.
I see that your original comment was four years ago. There are several versions of this available on Amazon, including this performance.
It was also made into a Laser Disc, which I thought was surprising. I strongly doubt that version is still available. I even more strongly doubt that there are any surviving laser disc players available.
Requiem Aeternam 1:21
Dies Irae 10:42
Offertorium 37:43
Sanctus 47:32
Agnus Dei 58:26
Libera Me 1:02:14
So splendid Anthony Rolfe Johnson !!
What an Agnus Dei !!
29:29 the most beautiful lacrimosa ever...
... sehr beeindruckende, straffe Auffführung (Maestro Gardiner!) dieses großartigen Werks - an nachdenklich stimmender Lübecker Stätte - mit der zerbrochenen Glocke...
The camera work is superb.
Thos is a major score of our century, no possible mistake about it. What a great idea than the insertion of pacifist text inside the RRequiem mass, the reuqiem inside the requiem, the choir inside the cgoir, the orchestra inside the orchestra ! John Eliot Gardiner did not mistake about his enter into the XXth Century.
So moving and poignant. Unbelievable performance and work
It took me quite a few performances and hearings to learn that the Libera Me is a long lead up to battle, with guns heard in the distance, then we are over the top at 1:07:50. The terrifying climax at 1:08:30 is the cry of death.
This requiem is so challenging to listen to for the first time. My advice is to presevere and listen over and over. Don't expect the immediate beauty you hear with say Ockegheim, Mozart, Haydn, Berlioz, Rutter, Faure, Duruflé, LLoyd Weber, Howard Goodhal or the immediately loveable Karl Jenkins! It is well worth the effort you invest in it! Like the LIgeti or John Fransen Requiem it takes time to reveal itself to you in all its superb glory. For example, listen to the brilliant brass writing at 11:34 & 12:30, that is some Dies Irae! For Tubists look out for the muted Tuba at 14:01
Singing it ain't easy either! :)
I loved it immediately. It hits me in the stomach every time! Yet, I can more than stomach it.
Some goes for his violin concerto.
I sing this with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus under Robert Shaw. It missed being the first performance in the USA by one week.
We Americans are so self-conscious. I, a fellow American, am more interested in China’s first performance. Or Russia’s, esp considering all the woe they caused by preventing Vishnevskaya from singing the Premiere. NB: I love Heather Harper’s performance at that!
PA. Lucky you!
I hereby state that Bo is my favourite baritone. Man! (The pity, the pity of war!)
Amazing!!!!
Premiered #otd in 1962 🌺🌺🌺
Please don’t hate me for this, but I find both Britten recordings, even the Live televised one in 1962 (I think) ever more compelling, exciting, NOW. PS. This is ofc excellent.
Yes, the live TV broadcast was in fact from 1964: a BBC Prom concert on 4 August that marked to the day the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of WWI.
The recording of the (somewhat chaotic) first performance in 1962 in Coventry Cathedral, cond. Meredith Davies with the composer as second conductor (boys, Melos Ens.), is on Testament SBT 1490. The intended Vishnevskaya was 'indisposed' by the Soviet regime (irony not a big thing with those guys): Heather Harper learnt the part at very short notice and is absolutely wonderful.
I Want Verdi, Mozart, Ustvolskaya And Britten To Have A Battle Of Requiem.
Great idea There are a few others that come to mind though.
@@DavidA-ps1qr Just Discovered That Karl Jenkins Also Made A Requiem
@@Canimals4Life Well done!!! - it was one I was going to recommend to join the battle!!
@@DavidA-ps1qr WHAT?! You Were Gonna Add Karl Jenkins Too?!?! Let’s Go!
@@Canimals4Life Yes I was. And Saint-Saens too. By the way the Ustvolskaya is also an excellent choice.
Wonderful recording - but where, and who are the singers?
As printed above, montiverdi choir
St Mary's, Lübeck, Germany.
They are listed.
8:01
Why the stereo swap
Does anyone else only stick around for 1:08:30?
Yes, but I stick around for the whole profoundly moving piece!
Agnus Dei 58:30
Where was this recorded?
St Mary's, Lübeck, Germany.
01:06:30