Fauré Requiem

On February 17, 1962, the public came to hear, at Carnegie Hall, the third of four concerts conducted by Nadia Boulanger - the first woman to take the pulpit of the New York Philharmonic: Three Psalms of his sister Lili and the Solemn Music of Virgil Thomson (orchestrated for the occasion) will be preceded in the program by Faurй's Requiem (1887-1901). Leonard Bernstein, mounted on stage, specifies that it will be given in memory of Bruno Walter, who died the same morning. “A man who was all kindness, warmth, kindness and devotion. We can only mourn him and pay homage to him."

Fauré - Requiem ~ Ravel - Pavane pour une Infante Défunte - Giulini (1986)
EAC+CUE+LOG | FLAC (single files) | 152 MB | Booklet scans | DG 1986

This most peaceful and accepting of all Requiems finds its ideal benefactor in Carlo Maria Giulini, whose characteristically unhurried approach precisely captures the work's calming essence. The effect is hypnotic; at no time does the music reach - neediness, after all, is a remnant of the earthly life left behind. The tranquilizing effect is heightened by the choral sound, which evokes angels welcoming from on high. So utterly spellbinding is Giulini's account that when the final "rest in peace" from the Paradisum fades and fades and fades into gradual nothingness, you won't be able to tell where the music ends and heaven begins.

This is a fine recording of the requiem although shorter than norm due to it's revised construction. Nevertheless, it is very pleasing and well suited to the smaller ensemble. It hardly requires me to remark on the excellence of the King's College choir which adds considerably to the listening pleasure. In addition, this is a Super Audio CD (SACD) ensuring a high quality of sound recording.

Under the direction of Keno Weber, the Quilisma Jugendchor Springe presents the first complete recording of Gabriel Fauré’s (1845–1924) sacred works. After completing his academic education in 1865, Fauré was primarily active as a church musician and worked at the parish church „La Madeleine“ in Paris from 1877 to 1905. Almost all of his sacred works were written during this time, including his well-known Requiem. The voices of the young singers of the Quilisma Jugendchor provide insight into how the music may have sounded in the 19th century, performed by the boys’ choir at „La Madeleine“ under the direction of the composer himself.

Tout le monde devrait connaitre certaines oeuvres classiques. Les requiems de Mozart ou de de Saint Sens en font parti, à mes yeux.

Gabriel Fauré - Requiem / Pelléas et Mélisande / Pavane
Elly Ameling / Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra / Jean Foumet / David Zinman
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 218 MB | Full Artwork: 78 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Philips "Silver Line" # 420 707-2 | Country/Year: Germany 1987
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic, Early 20th Century

"This nicely presented disc offers a thoughtfully planned Fauré programme, and brings the beautiful Pelléas et Mélisande music before a wider public, alongside the more popular Requiem and Pavane. In fact the performance (and recording too) of Pelléas is more successful than those of the other items. David Zinman chooses appropriate tempi to allow the essential sensitivity of the elusive subject of forbidden love to be felt through some of Fauré's most beautiful music. And full marks to the Rotterdam orchestra, who play quite wonderfully in music which does not exactly encourage us to acknowledge their virtuosity. Jill Gomez is on top form, too, in Mélisande's song…" ~musicweb-international