Benjamin Britten's masterpiece, 'Britten: War Requiem', is a profound and poignant classical music experience. Released on 1 May 1963 by Decca Music Group Ltd., this iconic album is a testament to Britten's innovative and expressive compositional style. The 'War Requiem, Op. 66' is a sprawling, neoclassical work that weaves together the traditional Latin Mass for the Dead with the haunting poetry of Wilfred Owen, creating a powerful anti-war statement.
This 2-hour, 11-minute album is a rich tapestry of sound, featuring a range of genres from classical and opera to choral music. Britten's genius is on full display as he crafts a sonic landscape that is both beautiful and devastating. The album's six movements, including 'Requiem aeternam', 'Dies irae', and 'Libera me', take the listener on a journey through the horrors of war and the hope of redemption.
With its soaring choruses, intimate solo passages, and dramatic orchestral flourishes, 'Britten: War Requiem' is a work of unflinching emotional intensity. Benjamin Britten's music is a powerful tribute to the victims of war and a plea for peace, making this album a must-listen for anyone who appreciates classical music, opera, or choral works. Released to critical acclaim, 'Britten: War Requiem' remains a landmark recording in the classical music canon, and its influence can still be felt today.
War Requiem, Op. 66: I. Requiem aeternam: a. Requiem aeternamBenjamin Britten, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, Highgate School Choir, Melos Ensemble, Simon Preston, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: I. Requiem aeternam: b. What Passing Bells for These who die as Cattle?Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Melos Ensemble, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: II. Dies irae: a. Dies iraeBenjamin Britten, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: II. Dies irae: b. Bugles Sang, Saddening the Evening AirBenjamin Britten, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Melos Ensemble
War Requiem, Op. 66: II. Dies irae: c. Liber ScriptusBenjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: II. Dies irae: d. Out there, We've Walked quite Friendly up to DeathBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Melos Ensemble
War Requiem, Op. 66: II. Dies irae: e. Recordare Jesu pieBenjamin Britten, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: II. Dies irae: f. Be Slowly Lifted UpBenjamin Britten, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: II. Dies irae: g. Dies iraeBenjamin Britten, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: II. Dies irae: h. Lacrimosa dies illaBenjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: II. Dies irae: i. Move Him into the SunBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Galina Vishnevskaya, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: III. Offertorium: a. Domine Jesu ChristeBenjamin Britten, Highgate School Choir, Simon Preston, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: III. Offertorium: b. So Abram Rose, and Clave the WoodBenjamin Britten, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Sir Peter Pears, Highgate School Choir, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, Simon Preston, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: IV. Sanctus: a. SanctusBenjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: IV. Sanctus: b. After the Blast of Lightning from the EastBenjamin Britten, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Melos Ensemble
War Requiem, Op. 66: V. Agnus Dei: One ever Hangs Where Shelled Roads PartBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: VI. Libera me: a. Libera me, DomineBenjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: VI. Libera me: b. It Seemed that out of Battle I EscapedBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Melos Ensemble
War Requiem, Op. 66: VI. Libera me: c. Let Us Sleep Now...In ParadisumBenjamin Britten, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Sir Peter Pears, Galina Vishnevskaya, Highgate School Choir, Simon Preston, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: Requiem aeternam - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Chorus, Highgate School Choir, Simon Preston, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: Dies irae - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: Dies irae - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya, John Culshaw, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: Dies irae - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya, The Bach Choir, Highgate School Choir, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: Offertorium - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Chorus, Highgate School Choir, Melos Ensemble, Simon Preston, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: Sanctus - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, The Bach Choir, Highgate School Choir, London Symphony Chorus, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: Sanctus - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya
War Requiem, Op. 66: Agnus Dei - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, John Culshaw, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Chorus, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: Libera me - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, John Culshaw
War Requiem, Op. 66: Libera me - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra
War Requiem, Op. 66: Libera me - (Rehearsal)Benjamin Britten, Galina Vishnevskaya, Sir Peter Pears, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, The Bach Choir, Highgate School Choir, London Symphony Chorus, Simon Preston, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra
Benjamin Britten, a titan of 20th-century British music, is celebrated for his profound contributions to opera, choral, and orchestral compositions. Born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in 1913, Britten began his musical journey at the tender age of six, with his first compositions published during his student years. His operatic works, such as the hauntingly powerful "Peter Grimes" and the poignant "Billy Budd," have earned him a place among the most prominent figures in modern opera, often drawing comparisons to Ralph Vaughan Williams. Britten's repertoire spans a wide range of genres, from enchanting operas to heartfelt choral masterpieces and orchestral gems like "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra." His emotive and accessible compositions continue to captivate audiences worldwide, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest British composers of his generation. Beyond his composing prowess, Britten was also a skilled conductor and pianist, and he served as the President of the Society of Recorder Players from 1958 until his passing in 1976.
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Benjamin Britten
