Boosey & Hawkes

Masur conducts Britten's War Requiem

Benjamin Britten's great artistic statement of pacifism is a modern classic: an unprecedented treatment of the Latin texts of the Requiem set alongside acerbic and often overtly contradictory verse by Wilfred Owen. Captured in a live performance on the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, featuring singers Christine Brewer (soprano), Anthony Dean Griffey (tenor) and Gerald Finley (baritone) and conducted by known peace activist, the Orchestra's Principal Conductor Kurt Masur, this account of Britten's extraordinary masterpiece is indispensible.

KURT MASUR conductor
NEVILLE CREED conductor (chamber orchestra) and chorus master
CHRISTINE BREWER soprano
ANTHONY DEAN GRIFFEY tenor
GERALD FINLEY baritone
LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
BORIS GARLITSKY leader (chamber orchestra)
PIETER SCHOEMAN leader (symphony orchestra)
TIFFIN BOYS' CHOIR
SIMON TOYNE conductor (Tiffin Boys' Choir)

Recorded live at the ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, London

‘Masur drew both blazing and heartbreakingly intimate playing from the LPO, while Creed directed the excellent chamber ensemble accompanying the male soloists superbly. A deeply affecting performance …’
Annette Morreau, The Independent 2005

‘Indeed, this was a performance of total conviction from all involved, especially the outstanding London Philharmonic Choir, who sang beautifully and kept reserves in store for the terrifying, unfettered climaxes Masur demanded.’

Erica Jeal, The Guardian 2005

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Contents and Reviews

01 Requiem aeternam
02 Anthem for Doomed Youth What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
03 Dies irae
04 But I Was Looking At The Permanent Stars Bugles sang, saddening the evening air
05 Liber scriptus proferetur
06 The Next War Out there, we've walked quite friendly up to Death
07 Recordare
08 Confutatis maledictis
09 On Seeing A Piece of Our Heavy Artillery Brought into Action Be slowly lifted up, thou long black arm
10 Lacrimosa
11 Futility Move him into the sun
12 Offertorium
13 Parable of the Old Men and the Young So Abram rose, and clave the wood
14 Sanctus
15 Benedictus
16 The End After the blast of lightning from the East
17 Agnus Dei
18 Libera me
19 Strange Meeting It seemed that out of battle I escaped
20 'Let us sleep now...'