Thanks. I downloaded the English translation, The Betrothed, and reading it.
Next we have Berlioz, 1803. Magnificent and colosal yet very delicate would be closest to describe this requiem. Its long, 2cd set, composed for many musicians and singers. Highly recommended.
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Probably the latest one: Polish Requiem by Krzystof Penderecki. It is an expanded canonical Requiem with the addition of non-standard movements, Holy God and Chaconne. Different parts of it are dedicated to people and events in recent Polish history such as Lech Walesa, pope John Paul II, Katyn Massacre, Warsaw Uprising. The full version incorporating 18 movements took 25 years to complete (1980-2005). The full version lasts about 2 hours. The music, very dramatic, is atonal. Here is the short version without Holy God and Chaconne:
Penderecki Requiem Antoni Wit
Penderecki Requiem Antoni Wit
We heard Mozart's Requiem at the Cathedral of Barcelona back in '90.
We walked in and sat by the center aisle in the main nave, more towards the entry than the altar. The chorus was singing at the other end, above and behind the main altar. With the organ accompanying. Just so, not too loud. It was a cloudy day outside so the light inside was subdued, middle of the day.
The voices were angels singing to us from the Heavens Above. The organ just gently shook our bones.
After that, well... what other? Where else? Whenever I hear that piece, I'm transported to that event. Everything else is just music.
..
Unfortunately the tourists are ruining the Barcelona Cathedral. They let us in last summer because I speak the language and we sat at the rear and watched a Mass. Also we were dressed respectfully not Walmart-Tourist-Garish. But, that, is another story.
We walked in and sat by the center aisle in the main nave, more towards the entry than the altar. The chorus was singing at the other end, above and behind the main altar. With the organ accompanying. Just so, not too loud. It was a cloudy day outside so the light inside was subdued, middle of the day.
The voices were angels singing to us from the Heavens Above. The organ just gently shook our bones.
After that, well... what other? Where else? Whenever I hear that piece, I'm transported to that event. Everything else is just music.
..
Unfortunately the tourists are ruining the Barcelona Cathedral. They let us in last summer because I speak the language and we sat at the rear and watched a Mass. Also we were dressed respectfully not Walmart-Tourist-Garish. But, that, is another story.
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Have you been under it? It was a Roman Temple... they found the original Christian baptism stone. It used to be outside the Church then, only baptized people could enter the Church.
It is, after all, MY cathedral. no matter where else I may live. So, yeah, I'm prejudiced. The archbishop from the Cathedral handled the Confirmation at our Catholic school. Being a Catholic is sort of like being in a Mafia of sorts... you just never leave it. 😉 😉
Watching the sardanas on a Sunday is sublime, a true sign of ethnic belonging.
( And then you have a cold beer and watch Barca win... ).
But if you're in Budapest... dang it... you got some absolutely wondrous cathedrals and churches there too? About 15, 20 years ago we watched one of the Hungarian Symphony Orchestras, (National, Festival?) two nights, here in our local symphony hall. OK, it might sound stereotyped. just like the Vienna doing The Blue Danube as their 4th encore.... but two nights of Brahms, Bartok and Liszt were simply not enough. We're thinking of spending some time in Vienna, Budapest and Prague next May/June. Likely three weeks in that part of Europe... I hope we can get some good seats.
It is, after all, MY cathedral. no matter where else I may live. So, yeah, I'm prejudiced. The archbishop from the Cathedral handled the Confirmation at our Catholic school. Being a Catholic is sort of like being in a Mafia of sorts... you just never leave it. 😉 😉
Watching the sardanas on a Sunday is sublime, a true sign of ethnic belonging.
( And then you have a cold beer and watch Barca win... ).
But if you're in Budapest... dang it... you got some absolutely wondrous cathedrals and churches there too? About 15, 20 years ago we watched one of the Hungarian Symphony Orchestras, (National, Festival?) two nights, here in our local symphony hall. OK, it might sound stereotyped. just like the Vienna doing The Blue Danube as their 4th encore.... but two nights of Brahms, Bartok and Liszt were simply not enough. We're thinking of spending some time in Vienna, Budapest and Prague next May/June. Likely three weeks in that part of Europe... I hope we can get some good seats.
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We still have few left behind. I mean few by well-known composers. This thread would be endless if we include all the obscure ones.
Antonin Dvorak
This is nothing short of stunning. For those who like Slavonic Dances, The New World symphony, or Rusalka, this is the work of the same caliber. There are many great recordings that can be recommended, e.g. Ancerl, Newmann, Wit, Here is one of the several versions conducted by Mariss Jansons:
Dvorak Requiem Jansons
Antonin Dvorak
This is nothing short of stunning. For those who like Slavonic Dances, The New World symphony, or Rusalka, this is the work of the same caliber. There are many great recordings that can be recommended, e.g. Ancerl, Newmann, Wit, Here is one of the several versions conducted by Mariss Jansons:
Dvorak Requiem Jansons
No, the old Cathedral at the Gothic Quarter.
The Sagrada Family... funny, I used to walk by it four times a day on our way to school from home. Can't say we ever looked up.
The interior of the Sagrada Familia is much brighter, far more windows. I guess it's post modernist Gothic. The only place in the World you'll see something like that... like the Hospital de San Pau, La Pedrera, (1), etc...
Catalan... I've lost most of it, although I understand it. Last year, after one month of staying there, a lot of it came back. At the table, with family and friends it was crazy... we had Catalan, Castilian and English. People switching on the fly. My wife, great sport -thank YOU- handled all of it with aplomb.
But no, I speak Castilian, with the proper Northern Iberian accent and using Catalan words... so even though I hesitate because I'll forget words, the locals always treat me like one of them. Usually, since I look like one of them, if they started the conversation with me, they'd start in Catalan and then I'd beg out explaining the situation. They were fine. After all, it's not like I was from Madrid... sort of just like a prodigal son. (2)
After one month, I got really good. When I got back, I started talking to my aunt exclusively in Castilian. She being older when she came to the States, didn't lose any of it.
We plan on going back next year.... for a lot longer trip. Time in Central Europe and then Catalunya. Likely a quick side high speed rail trip to Madrid, cousin, nephews, Reina Sofía Museum, El Prado (3) and El Escorial.
(1) La Pedrera, Casa Mila, is one of those unsung heroes in Barcelona. The dumb tourists ignore it, which is fantastic. The roof is incredible.
(2) It's funny, I've been back to Barcelona before several times, but this time it was for four weeks, two of us, no rush... so the language really came to me much more naturally.
(3) El Prado is outstanding. We did a bunch of museums in Barcelona and saw the connection in El Prado. So now we need to do the Modern Stuff. Oh, of course, we saw Dali over at Figueres too. Need to build a list of Cathedral, museums, concert halls with performances in Vienna, Budapest and Prague.
The New World Symphony. We sort of call it "From the New World". To my ears, Dvorak as an outsider caught the folklore of America at the time. What a FANTASTIC piece... playing it right now. Reiner, CSO, Living Stereo. Tidal HiFi. FLAC 24/92.
Yes, we've seen it live. Twice actually: Hungarian National and the Philharmonia.
Funny, but only Europeans would think of America as the New World, huh? I guess native born Americans just won't understand the implications of the thought.
Oh. Andrew Lloyd Webber.... what kind of a Requiem is that? Pfft... sorry.... no way. Rock and Roll, bluegrass, R&B, Virgil Thompson (The Plow That Broke The West), Sousa, Southern Gospel, Salsa, Tango, that's American. A Requiem? Just not in the American Spirit.
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