Fauré was not drawn to compose a Requiem because of the death of a loved one, even though his mother had died during the early stages of composition and his father had passed away two years before. Fauré’s composition does not set his Requiem to the standard liturgical text, instead adding a lyrical Pie Jesu and transcendent Paradisum, and omitting the Dies Irae and Tuba Mirum.
As a result the mood of the Requiem is relatively calm and peaceful and often referred to as a “lullaby of death”.
Fauré’s unconventional composition has become a firm favourite in the repertoire.
Paavo Järvi, new musical director of the Orchestre de Paris – one of the largest and most prestigious international orchestras – and has already gained a notable reputation as a conductor, including winning a Grammy award.
Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9
Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo
Region code: 0
Subtitles: German, English, French
Booklet notes: English, German, French
Running time: 92 mins
May 2012
“This is an appealing concert that cleverly mixes the familiar with the unfamiliar and includes a well-known piece in an unfamiliar guise...Jarvi keeps the music flowing along nicely...The violas and cellos are wonderfully expressive throughout...Isabelle Soulard's video direction is pleasingly unobtrusive.”
May 2012
***
“Reiss sings [the Pie Jesu] with feeling, and with audible words.”
June 2012
“the expert choir's native French vowel sounds are a joy in themselves, [and] Eric Picard gives a mesmerising account of the haunting cello Elegie...If that wasn't enough, there follows a performance of the Requiem with the sensational Chen Reiss and Matthias Goerne the equal of any I have heard live or on disc...Unmissable.”
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