Just been listening to Classic FM and the preview of this Requiem by Howard Goodall. I've ordered it from Amazon on the basis of that one track. Why? Two immediate reasons. First I liked it. Second, I was intrigued by the composer's description of what he was seeking to do. Here's an extract.
The writing of a Requiem is a special challenge for any composer. The
great Requiems of the past by composers such as Mozart, Verdi, Fauré
and Duruflé interpret the sacred Requiem text literally, and represent
a prayer for the salvation of the departed soul(s). Howard Goodall's
Requiem, by contrast, is intended to provide solace to the grieving.
The composer said, "For me, a modern Requiem is one that acknowledges
the terrible, unbearable loss and emptiness that accompanies the death
of loved ones, a loss that is not easily ameliorated with platitudes
about the joy awaiting us in the afterlife. … Musical expression can
I hope provide some outlet, some reflection, some transportation, even
some comfort….This was to be a Requiem for the living, a Requiem
focussing on interrupted lives."
Once I've listened to it I'll let you know whether impulse buying is to be recommended as a way of discovering what new music you like by listening randomly to Classic FM!
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