Battle of the Requiems

[keokime]

I was wondering what everyone thought about requiems. Favorite one? Least Favorite? I just discovered Brahms' Requiem, and I am in love with it. Mozart's was the only other one I had heard, and Brahms' requiem is so much better. Any others that I should consider? Thanks a lot. <P>jason

[BenG]

While I love Brahm's Requiem very much, I would have to give a slight edge to the one done by Mozart. And I usually prefer Brahms over Mozart.<P>Hmmm. Come to think of it, these are the only two requiems I've heard. What are the other famous requiems out there? Mahler's Symphony No. 2 isn't really a requiem...it's a ressurection.<BR>

[Brahmsian]

my vote goes for the Brahms, whose suprised? The Verdi Requiem is also good, and the Faure is ok. But yes, I believe the Brahms is unparralled. (even though none can equal Mozart. Am I making any sense?)

[shostakovich]

Sections of the Verdi and Berlioz Requiems are "pow, socko"!<BR>Shos

[~Leslie]

While in high school, we sang Gabriel Faure's Requiem, it took me a long time to learn to like it. <P>I like Mozart's Requiem. <BR>****************<BR>There is something magical about the word<BR>Kyrie. It just has a beautiful ring to it. <P>Paul Winter wrote a Kyrie for a Timberwolf singing. It's interesting.<BR>************************<BR>As for Ludwig, the only two that I am fully acquainted with, are more funeral marches, from the 7th and 3rd symphonies.~

[Peter]

Not forgetting, of coure, that Mozart was certainly NOT responsible for completing his Requiem mass.

[~Leslie]

Yes, of coure.~

[Luis]

I really love all these requiems but if you force me to order them, I'd do it like this:<P>1) Mozart<BR>2) Fauré (Don't ask me why)<BR>3) Brahms<BR>4) Verdi<BR>5) Berlioz (it's been only 5 days since I first listened to it, but it's pretty good so far)<P>Now that you had enough time to appreciate it, Ben, how did you liked Mahler's 2nd by Bernstein? (say, on a 1-10 scale) <BR>If you want to continue on the Mahler path, from my part I could recommend you either <P>his 9th (Boulez, Chicago SO, DG) <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000613T/qid=986188918/sr=1-2/ref=sc_m_3/002-9164167-1321648" TARGET=_blank>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000613T/qid=986188918/sr=1-2/re f=sc_m_3/002-9164167-1321648</A> <P>or his 5th (Chailly, Royal Concertgebouw, London: <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000042I7/qid=986186777/sr=1-42/ref=sc_m_18/002-9164167-1321648" TARGET=_blank>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000042I7/qid=986186777/sr=1-42 /ref=sc_m_18/002-9164167-1321648</A> <P>But if you want really informed opinions I’d urge you to go to this fabulous Mahler forum: <A HREF="http://www.linefeed.com/mahler/discussmain.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.linefeed.com/mahler/discussmain.html</A> <P>To Brahmsian: <BR>I challenge you to listen to this and not be amazed (...and ashamed too ) <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001G96/qid=983416747/sr=1-1/ref=sc_m_1/104-8436844-5169509" TARGET=_blank>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001G96/qid=983416747/sr=1-1/re f=sc_m_1/104-8436844-5169509</A> <p>[This message has been edited by Luis (edited 04-02-2001).]

[BenG]

Luis,<P>Thanks for the links. I'll check them out. As you know, I'm somewhat of a Mahler novice, but I've become very interested in his music. I wouldn't want to put a rank on the 2nd just now. I've listened to it three or four times and I want to listen to it at least 3 more times before I can really get a grip on it. His canvas is huge and it is difficult to take it all in at first. It's very deep and sometimes inexplicable. It can be compared to a long journey...like wandering though a dark cave..only to have a light go on and find the cave is coated with astounding jewels. You were very right about the finale too...it was stunning. I read somewhere on these boards that his 4th was good too...I have these works on my list. <P>I'm also curious about these Requiems. For some reason I want to check out the one by Berlioz. Seems like he'd be a natural for something like that.<p>[This message has been edited by BenG (edited 04-02-2001).]

[barfle]

I've found a requiem that I thought was absolutely lovely on my first hearing. I picked up a copy of DuRufle's requiem on a quad LP about a year and a half ago, and I fell in love with it immediately. I'm sure it's hardly ever performed, and we are all the poorer for it. Really, REALLY a nice work! Keep an eye out for it, I don't know of a music lover who wouldn't like it.<p>[This message has been edited by barfle (edited 04-04-2001).]

[Bob the Composer]

I have heard the following requiems in their entirety:<P>Mozart<BR>Berlioz<BR>Verdi<P>I have heard Howard Hanson's Symphony #4 (the CD I have subtitles it "Requiem", although it is instrumental.)<P>I have heard the Requiem by John Rutter live with the accompaniment transcribed to piano.<P>I have heard parts of <P>Brahms German Requiem (which, technically speaking, is not a requiem either)<BR>Andrew Lloyd Weber<P>and didn't much care for either.<P>I have not heard<P>Benjamin Britten War Requiem<BR>Faure<P> I would have to say the best on is Mozart, followed by Hanson, Verdi, and Berlioz in that order.<P>Bob

[Luegwig]

What about "Qui-Gon's Noble End" by John Williams?<P>I think it can be proven empirically that Mozart's Requiem Mass was the best one ever written or ever will be. [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img] BTW, that scene in Amadeus where he and Solieri are writing it down was amazing! <P>There are part's of Verdi's that are great, but on the whole....eh.<P>I love Brahm's...oh, it's already mounted right here on my Mac. [Play] "Blessed are they that mourn" is heartbreakingly beautiful. "For all flesh is as grass" is as Truthful as music gets (such power!).<P>BTW, I take except to the statement that Brahms' is not a requiem. It may not be a mass, but it is a composition for the dead and has the same purpose. Did I somehow misunderstand the definition?<P>Regards,<BR>Bill<p>[This message has been edited by Luegwig (edited 04-09-2001).]