Requiem (Dvořák)

Antonín Dvořák's Requiem in B-flat minor, Op. 89, B. 165, is a funeral mass for soloists, choir and orchestra, composed in 1890.

Background

Antonín Dvořák composed the Requiem at the beginning of his peak creative period. The construction of the mass is not typical: the composition is divided in two basic parts, each of which begins with the original interconnection of several liturgical sequences. Likewise, Dvořák inserted between the "Sanctus" and "Agnus Dei" a lyrical movement "Pie Jesu," created on the base of the final text of the "Dies Irae" sequence. Its basic melodic motif is created by two ascending half-tones with an incorporated very sorrowful diminished third, which begins the opus and continues in many variations as the main motif running through the entire work. Dvořák's Requiem is a supreme opus of classicist-romantic synthesis. This composition inspired many other Czech composers, e.g. Josef Suk and Bohuslav Martinů.

This composition was performed for the first time on 9 October 1891, in Birmingham, England, conducted by the composer.

Structure

• Section I:
  • 1. Introitus: Requiem aeternam
  • 2. Graduale: Requiem aeternam
  • 3. Sequentia: Dies irae - Tuba mirum - Quid sum miser - Recordare, Jesu pie - Confutatis maledictis – Lacrimosa
• Section II :
  • 4. Offertorium: Domine Jesu Christe – Hostias
  • 5. Sanctus - Pie Jesu
  • 6. Agnus Dei

The approximate duration of the work is 95 minutes.^[1]

Orchestration

The work is scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists; SATB choir; and an orchestra of piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, four horns, four trumpets, three trombones (two tenor and one bass), tuba, timpani, tam-tam, campane, organ, harp (Offertorium and Hostias only), and strings.^[1]

Selected recordings

• Antonín Dvořák: Rekviem - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic Chorus, conducted by Karel Ančerl, chorus master Markéta Kühnová; soloists: Maria Stader – soprano, Sieglinde Wagner – alt, Ernst Haefliger – tenor, Kim Borg – bass. Supraphon, 1959, re-edition on 2 CD 1991 (Ančerl Gold Edition no.13). This recording was awarded by most prestigious „Grand Prix du disque de l´Académie Charles Cros“ .
• Dvořák: Requiem for soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 89 - Czech Philharmonic orchestra, Kühn's mixed choir, conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch; soloists: Gabriela Beňačková, Brigitte Fassbaender, Thomas Moser, Jan Hendrik Rootering.
• Dvořák: Requiem b-moll, op. 89 - London Symphony Orchestra, conductor István Kertesz, Ambrosian Singers choir, soloists: Pilar Lorengar, Erzsebet Komlossy, Robert Ilosfalvy, Tom Krause; published by Decca.
• Dvořák: Requiem, op. 89, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, conductor Zdeněk Mácal, Westminster Choir, soloists: Oksana Krovytska (soprano), Wendy Hoffman (mezzo-soprano), John Aler (tenor), Gustav Beláček (bass). 1999 Delos.
• Dvořák: Requiem, op. 89, Capella Weilburgensis, conductor Doris Hagel, Kantorei der Schlosskirche Weilburg, soloists: Mechthild Bach (soprano), Stefanie Irányi (mezzo-soprano), Markus Schäfer (tenor), Klaus Mertens (bass). 2006 Profil - Edition Günter Hänssler.
• Dvořák, Requiem, Symphony No. 8, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conductor Mariss Jansons, Wiener Singverein, soloists: Krassimira Stoyanova (soprano), Mihoko Fujimura (mezzo-soprano), Klaus Florian Vogt (tenor), Thomas Quasthoff (bass). 2010 RCO Live.

Notes

References

Dvořák, Antonín (2001). Requiem Op. 89, score. Prague: Editio Bärenreiter.  ISMN M-2601-0090-9. H 3213.

v t e Antonín Dvořák Operas Alfred King and Charcoal Burner The Stubborn Lovers Vanda The Cunning Peasant Dimitrij The Jacobin The Devil and Kate Rusalka Armida Symphonies Symphony No. 1 in C minor (The Bells of Zlonice) Symphony No. 2 in B♭ major Symphony No. 3 in E♭ major Symphony No. 4 in D minor Symphony No. 5 in F major Symphony No. 6 in D major Symphony No. 7 in D minor Symphony No. 8 in G major Symphony No. 9 in E minor (From the New World) Concertos Piano Concerto in G minor Violin Concerto in A minor Cello Concerto in B minor Cello Concerto in A major Orchestra works A Hero's Song Carnival Overture Czech Suite in D major In Nature's Realm Legends My Home Othello Overture Serenade for Strings in E major Slavonic Dances Suite in A major (American) Symphonic Variations The Golden Spinning Wheel The Noon Witch The Water Goblin The Wild Dove Tragic Overture Vocal music Moravian Duets Requiem Saint Ludmilla Stabat Mater Chamber music String quartets String Quartet No. 1 in A major String Quartet No. 5 in F minor String Quartet No. 8 in E major String Quartet No. 10 in E♭ major (Slavonic) String Quartet movement in F major String Quartet No. 11 in C major String Quartet No. 12 in F major (American) String Quartet No. 13 in G major String Quartet No. 14 in A♭ major Other String Quintet No. 2 in G major String Quintet No. 3 in E♭ major (American) String Sextet in A major Serenade in D minor for Wind Instruments Sonatina in G major Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor (Dumky) Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major Miniatures Romantic Pieces Silent Woods Piano music Dumky in C minor Humoresques Legends Slavonic Dances Suite in A major (American) Related articles List of compositions by Antonín Dvořák Johannes Brahms Bedřich Smetana Neoromanticism Portal:Classical music