Reference Music: IV - REQUIEM DE FAURÉ

Fauré began sketches for the Requiem in 1887. Unlike many composers, he was not drawn to compose a Requiem because of the death of a loved one, though his mother passed away during early stages of composition and his father died two years before.

By the time of the first performance, on January 16 1888, there were five movements: an Ingtroit and Kyrie, the Sanctus, Pie Jesu; Agnus Dei and In Paradisium. To perform the work, Fauré called for a mixed choir with divided tenors and basses, a soprano soloist, an orchestra of low strings (violas, cellos, and double basses), harp, timpani, and organ, with a violin solo in the Sanctus. He added an Offertoire in 1889, and added a setting of theLibera Me that he had written for baritone and organ some twelve years earlier. He added horns, trumpets, and trombones to the orchestra, and a baritone soloist, and this version was first performed at the Madeleine in January of 1893.

COMMENTS:

Anonymous said... (29/1/06 04:19)Dear Friend, thank you for the invitation. Do love your site a lot and just wanted to say something: i just started to teach the Faure Requiem - as a conductor - to and orchestra and choir while i am staying in SF. the concert will be on the 30th, April - wish you could come and listen to us... long booted hugs from Leslie, Budapest (SF right now)