Mozart - Requiem: III. Sequenzia: 1. Dies Irae

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem Mass in D minor KV 626 (completed by Franz Xaver Süssmayer, revised edition by Franz Beyer)

Nikolaus Harnoncourt (conductor)
Concentus Musicus Wien (orchestra)
Arnold Schönberg Chor (choir)
Gerald Finley (bass)
Kurt Streit (tenor)
Bernarda Fink (alto)
Christine Schäfer (soprano)

I didn't like Harnoncourt's previous Requiems all that much, but this one is amazing: From the lush, full SACD sound of the (perfectly played) live recording to the stunning balance between the harsh, dramatic and the quiet, mourning parts. He's using the newest critical edition of the Süssmayer Requiem completion, which makes for a sleeker, cleaner and at times harsher orchestration, closer to that of the Introitus - but it leaves the Süssmayer parts intact otherwise, there is no Amen fugue after the Lacrimosa.

But it's not just the revised score that makes this one stand out, the playing of the Concentus Musicus is precise when it needs to be, soften when the score calls for it - I've never heard trombones this piercing in the Dies Irae before, truly apocalyptic, the strings in the Confutatis and Rex Tremendae are crushing, raw - no trace of the saccharine, overly romanticized Requiems of the past (Karajan is spinning in his grave, goofy tracksuit and all), here all the mourning is laced with sheer terror.

The Arnold Schönberg Choir is excellent as usual and the recording captures its color perfectly. As for the soloist, Gerald Finley and Christine Schäfer stand out particularly - Finley's bass aria in the Tuba Mirum is not only perfectly in tune with the trombone, it's also completely free of unnecessary vibrato, this is one of the least operatic Requiems recorded. As for Christine Schäfer, her soprano is of otherworldly color and expression, which might have something to with her personal life: Her long-term spouse, with whom she had two children died unexpectedly at 40 just two months before this Requiem was recorded. Deeply touching. Kurt Streit and Bernarda Fink are no less excellent, on a whole the whole ensemble blends together perfectly.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Dies
• Irae
• Classical
• Mozart
• Requiem
• Harnoncourt
• Concentus
• Musicus
• Arnold
• Schönber
• Chor
• Schäfer
• Fink
• Finley
• Streit

[pavlo0001]

uhm... where are the drums?? in the beginning?? :03!! cant' find another louder but: ''youtube.com/watch?v=j1C-GXQ1­LdY'' or do a search... drums are primordial for this piece!!

[Nachtmarchen]

@pavlo0001 They're there. The performance you posted uses a different edition of the score, since none of the timpani and trumpet voices passed down to us are doubtlessly from Mozart's hand different editions are highly likely to diverge there. I prefer this version as I feel it affords the offset rhythm of the string section more prominence - the one you posted sounds more four-square to these ears.

[ionica1985]

I just purchase that tremendeous version of the Requiem, having discovered it here! It's really the best version I ever heard of that opus! From the first to the last note ... everything is perfect, and full of "life", of meaning!I do not agree with "kewikle", but not at all! The horns give that dramatic and extremely "romantic" sound wich make, for example, this "Dies Irae" meaningfully apocalyptic! When you're an expert in playing Bach, you can only be one when you play some Mozart too! Super!

[sofiawing]

great...!

[pavlo0001]

@Nachtmarchen; yes they're there but very faint. I guess there are different approaches to Mozart's Requiem... I prefer them with loud drums, makes pieces more powerful and magnificent!... this is my favorite composition of all times and when I hear the power in it, fills me... hence this versions even though exquisite does not fulfill my needs :)

[XJadeCurtissX]

Blitz Ball!

[Kw12345ff]

This music make my cock hardest.

[Koetjesreep82]

@ionica1985 I am sorry, but I have to agree with "kewikkle" a bit here. It's not that irritating at the beginning. But at the last two "Quncta stricti discussurus", the strings should give the dramatic effect. As a flaming fire bringing God's righteous judgement etc. etc. you know what I mean. And the horns just blew them away! But I think it was more bad acoustics or recording, than a matter of bad interpretation.

[luvergirlscarer101]

contrary to most I find the horns give this piece an epic feel :) brilliant

[kewikle]

The horns are irritatingly bold and distracting...with that exception, it is an excellent performance.

[thom6213]

Wonderful