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. This composition is one great reflection on generally alarming questions of human existence. 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.

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, tuba, timpani, tam-tam, campane, organ, and strings.

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 Fukimura (mezzo-soprano), Klaus Florian Vogt (tenor), Thomas Quasthoff (bass). 2010 RCO Live.

References

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