Verdi: Requiem

Read About This Recording

It is always interesting to note how certain large scale works come in and out of the repertoires of orchestras around the world. For example, during the 1970s the Verdi Requiem reached a frenzy of popularity. Every conductor wanted to lead performances of the piece and then record it. Of course, that led to a spate of new recordings. But then, during the late 1980s and through the 1990s the Requiem seemed to receive less attention. Now we have a new recording of this incredible work featuring two of today's biggest opera stars conducted by Claudio Abbado.

Soprano Angela Gheorghiu and tenor Roberto Alagna headline this recording, but what makes this mammoth work sparkle is the playing of the Berlin Philharmonic and the singing of the choirs assembled for this recording.

As to the work itself, there are few, if any pieces in the choral repertoire that have the combination of ferocity, power, fear, love, tenderness and demonic pull that are the root substance of the Verdi Requiem. When the bass drums pound out their propulsive rhythms in the Dies Irae, the terror of the day of wrath is clearly portrayed and captured. It is hard to imagine anything more ferocious.

Abbado was one of the conductors who recorded this piece during its last period of incredible popularity and it is interesting to hear how Abbado's interpretation has changed over the last 20 years. Maturity has a way of making conductors see pieces in whole new ways.

The Verdi Requiem is a must for any collection, and this New Release recorded live in Berlin in 2001 is a worthy one to have.

-Jacob Anthony

Contents

Requiem Mass for soloists, chorus & orchestra.

Angela Gheorghiu, Soprano; Daniela Barcellona, Mezzo-soprano; Roberto Alagna, Tenor; Julian Konstantinov, Bass; Swedish Radio Chorus; Eric Ericson Chamber Choir; Bo Wannefors, Chorus Master; Orfeon Donostiarra; Jose Antonio Sainz Alfaro, Chorus Master; Berlin Philharmonic; Claudio Abbado, Conductor.