BRAHMS - EIN DEUTSCHES REQUIEM - SPANO - THE ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS (HYBRID SACD)

Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem was recorded in the fall of 2007 by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and Chorus in a performance the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said “sparked hair-raising intensity.” The performance features baritone Mariusz Kwiecien, soprano Twyla Robinson and is led by ASO Music Director Robert Spano. Johannes Brahms wrote Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem), Op. 45, following the deaths of his mother and Robert Schumann, his mentor. Although Brahms based his Requiem on scriptural passages, beginning and ending the work with a blessing “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4), he didn’t write it as a religious piece concerning itself with the souls of the departed, but as a cantata whose message is of comfort, acceptance, peace and serenity for those left behind.

The message seems particularly fitting for the world we live in today. The interesting fact that it contains none of the traditional text expected of a Requiem Mass, nor any of the colorful images that other composers have painted to illustrate those words in their music, is what makes this Requiem stand out from the rest.

“It at once became clear to the audience that the Deutsches Requiem ranked among the loftiest music ever given to the world.” - Albert Hermann Dietrich (German composer)

Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem Track Listing

1. Selig sind, die da Leid tragen
2. Den alles Fleisch es ist wie Gras
3. Herr, lehre doch mich
4. Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen
5. Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit
6. Denn wir haben hie
7. Selig sind die Toten