rolt968 Posted 20 November , 2017 Share Posted 20 November , 2017 I was wondering around Remembrance Weekend: Has Britten's War Requiem gone out of fashion. I don't think I have heard of a performance recently, but I may just be in the wrong place. I know that it requires considerable resources. RM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithfazzani Posted 20 November , 2017 Share Posted 20 November , 2017 I listen recordings fairly frequently . But you are right it does require enormous resources. You may be interested in this site http://www.warrequiem.org/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 21 November , 2017 Share Posted 21 November , 2017 And it is a wonderful piece... This time of the year I generally sing to myself the 'What Passing Bells' section... I would love to play it a home this time of the year as I used to do years ago, but these days, a small 2-bedroomed flat, and wife and kids and ma-in-law visiting to boot, well... I was lucky enough when 13-14 to hear the matinee / premiere rehearsal in Coventry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnumbellum Posted 23 November , 2017 Share Posted 23 November , 2017 Yes, it was composed specially for the consecration of the new Cathedral in 1962. It is a reflection of the Cathedral's interest in peace and reconciliation, that Benjamin Britten, his partner, the singer Peter Pears, and friend Michael Tippett were all conscientious onjectors in WW2, and all contributed to the festival marking the Cathedral's conscecration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Underdown Posted 24 November , 2017 Share Posted 24 November , 2017 I'd be a bit surprised if it didn't crop up next year. There were a few performances in 2013 (being Britten's centenary year), and in 2014 for the opening of the First World War centenary period, which probably contributes a little to a seeming lull now. It was last performed at the Proms in 2014 https://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/events/works/145fc3a0-b3a1-4bcc-ac4e-adb7a3eed972 and you can see from that page it's averaging a performance every 5 years or so (no Proms appearances in the 1980s. My wife was lucky enough to sing it in Coventry Cathedral with Cambridge University Music Society on the 60th anniversary of the bombing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithfazzani Posted 24 November , 2017 Share Posted 24 November , 2017 I use Spotify (other streaming services available) and have it downloaded on my iphone. Playing it in the car whilst visiting the battlefields is very moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now