Thread: Top 5 Requiems?

Hmmm! Berlioz, Fauré, Mozart, Verdi, Brahms.

Originally Posted by Lenfer

I love Brahms childhood memories. I'm ashamed to say I haven't heard the Duruflé's requiem I must make a point to listen to it over the weekend. Your not too bad yourself Sonata.

The Durufle is great, it's a rather melancholic work, at least for me. I suggest this version -
61Z8V7RMWTL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

The performances here are without the orchestra - only chorus, organ and the occasional cello I believe, so the mood is more intimate and somewhat more engaging than most of the other versions.

I don't know if this would make anyone's top 5, but Herbert Howell's Requiem is one of the most solemn heart breaking choral pieces I know. Written right after the death of his young son, I believe.

Cherubini (c minor)
Fauré
Górecki
Ligeti
Mozart/Süßmayr

1. Cherubini, C Minor
2. Cherubini, D Minor
3. Berlioz
4. Tied: Campra and Fux
5. Schumann

Schumann's requiem is very good, despite the derision of which it has been the unfortunate victim. I'm also very fond of Gossec's Messe des Morts, and Michael Haydn's Requiem.

Duruflé's is a little underrated, it seems. My top 5 are:

1. Duruflé
2. Fauré
3. Verdi
4. Mozart
5. Dvorak

I didn't know Schumann even wrote a Requiem.

Originally Posted by Tristan

Duruflé's is a little underrated, it seems. My top 5 are:

1. Duruflé
2. Fauré
3. Verdi
4. Mozart
5. Dvorak

I didn't know Schumann even wrote a Requiem.

It is Opus 148, and it exists in two forms: one with orchestral accompaniment, and one with organ accompaniment. It is an excellent work, a kind of begging for repose.

He also wrote a Mass in C Minor, Opus 147, which is also excellent. It too exists in both forms.

Some have simply branded them among the "uninspired" works of Schumann's mental degeneration. However, that assumption I have found without substance, as both works are masterful.

1. Mozart
2. Brahms
3. Requiem For Suzy Creamcheese (from Psychedelia—A Musical Light Show)
4. Dvorak
5. Berlioz

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The Introit movement is the crown jewel of Campra's Requiem.

Time 0:00 to 8:25

I just found this thread... Just to add to your list, Thomas Beveridge's Yizikor Requiem is very powerful (although not exactly easy on the ear).

RD

The German Requiem by Johannes Brahms is not a Roman Catholic Requiem Mass - it is not translated from Latin or any other language it is taken from the German Luther Bible and steers clear of dogma. It is not functional as a Mass for the Dead or any liturgical service.

Originally Posted by emiellucifuge

Yes it is, hes just chosen the german translation

1 - Fauré
2 - Mozart
3 - Verdi
4 - Cherubini's C minor
5 - Dvorak

1: Britten
2: Weinberg
3: Duruflé
4: Verdi
5: Fauré

/ptr

Schumann's requiem ANd Mass are great works; some people are i think too scared of psychological illness to let themselves appreciate them; not that they are not great works anyway-they are; but i have a gut feeling SOME people, not all, are frightened by the slightly fragmentary nature of this music, as Schumann fell apart
Steve

Originally Posted by stevenski

Schumann's requiem ANd Mass are great works; some people are i think too scared of psychological illness to let themselves appreciate them; not that they are not great works anyway-they are; but i have a gut feeling SOME people, not all, are frightened by the slightly fragmentary nature of this music, as Schumann fell apart
Steve

I don't even know what that means. Are you saying there is some risk of becoming mentally ill from listening to these?