Britten was approached to write an orchestral composition for an unidentified Great Power, to be ready in 1940. With war threatening all over the world, and reflecting on the loss of his father a few years earlier, Britten responded with a work in three linked movements, each titled with the name of a section of the Latin Mass for the Dead. Always a pacifist, Britten clearly was taking the occasion to state his protest. The first movement is full of the sounds of grief, beginning with a funeral march employing massive drum-beats, with a central section featuring a crying saxophone solo. The second movement is the only fast one, a "Dies Irae" that obviously depicts war in martial fanfares and explosions, ending in choas that threatens to tear the orchestra apart. This dies out and leads to "Requiem aeternam" in which an achingly beautiful theme on flutes brings, if not immediate consolation, a promise of peace to come. It is a strongly emotional and deeply personal work. As it turned out, the mysterious commission for the work came from the Japanese Empire, which had in mind to use it at ceremonies marking the 2,500th anniversary of the legendary date of the founding of the Imperial Dynasty. Japan rejected it with the explanation that its Christian basis made it incompatible with a Shinto celebration, so it was premiered in New York.
Benjamin Britten
Sinfonia da Requiem, for orchestra, Op. 20
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Description by Joseph Stevenson
Parts/Movements
- Lacrymosa
- Dies irae
- Requiem aeternam
Appears On
Year | Title / Performer | Label / Catalog # | AllMusic Rating |
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2017 |
Berlin Classics
0300890BC
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2015 |
Warner Classics
552758
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2013 |
Heritage
HTGCD 244
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2013 |
Virgin Classics / Warner Classics
5099973530121
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2013 |
Various Artists
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Decca
4785364
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2012 |
Melba Recordings
MR 301131
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2012 |
Supraphon
SU 40952
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2011 |
PentaTone Classics
PTC 5186393
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2010 |
Haenssler
94213
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2010 |
Reference Recordings
120
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2010 |
Decca
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2010 |
Various Artists
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Denon Records
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2009 |
EMI Classics
5099924274
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2009 |
EMI Classics
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2009 |
Various Artists
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EMI Classics / Warner Classics
5099969557
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2009 |
EMI Classics
|
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2009 |
Documents/Membran / Membran
231885
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2008 |
Various Artists
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EMI Classics / Warner Classics
5099921750
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2008 |
Various Artists
|
EMI Classics / Warner Classics
5099921752
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2008 |
EMI Classics
5868702
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2007 |
Telarc Distribution
60677
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2007 |
Telarc Distribution
80677
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2007 |
Decca
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2007 |
Decca
4756051
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2005 |
EMI Classics
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2005 |
Naxos
8557196
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2005 |
EMI Classics
|
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2005 |
EMI Music Distribution
86871
|
||
2005 |
Berlin Classics
0010972
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2003 |
Testament
1252
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||
2003 |
EMI Music Distribution
62616
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||
2003 |
Erato
|
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2003 |
Chandos
5007
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2003 |
EMI Music Distribution / Warner Classics
7243575868
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2003 |
EMI Classics
|
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2001 |
Virgin
61835
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2001 |
Music & Arts
1079
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2000 |
BBC Music
4401
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2000 |
NMC
30
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2000 |
Virgin Classics
61195
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2000 |
EMI Music Distribution / Warner Classics
7243573983
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1999 |
BBC Music
4013
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1998 |
EMI Music Distribution
72658
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1997 |
EMI Music Distribution
55394
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1995 |
Naxos
8 553107
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1994 |
Capriccio Records
428
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1993 |
BMG
61226
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1993 |
EMI Music Distribution
64870
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1991 |
Chandos
8983
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1989 |
London
4251002
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1980 |
Tahra
273
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BBC Music
1001
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Reference Recordings
120
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Collins Records
10192
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Capriccio Records
10428
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As Disc
541
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IMP Classics
9129
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