Curating Music History: Agnus Dei from Faure Reqiuem
The Requiem by Gabriel Faure (1845 - 1924) is one of the terms from the French Romantic school of music composition. The Requiem is the setting to music of the text from the Latin Mass for the Dead, with perhaps the most famous setting being the one that was composed (incompletely) by Mozart.
Unlike many other compositions of the Requiem by other composers, this setting by Faure was not commissioned, nor was it written with any particular person in mind. It was supposed that Faure could have written it for the death of on of his parents, but Faure later refuted it saying:
My Requiem wasn't written for anything – for pleasure, if I may call it that!
Faure
The piece itself was composed in a parts over many years, with the first music being completed in 1877 and with the finished orchestral score being finalised in 1900. The Requiem really does appear to have been a labour of love which was performed at his own funeral.
It has been said that my Requiem does not express the fear of death and someone has called it a lullaby of death. But it is thus that I see death: as a happy deliverance, an aspiration towards happiness above, rather than as a painful experience. The music of Gounod has been criticised for its inclination towards human tenderness. But his nature predisposed him to feel this way: religious emotion took this form inside him. Is it not necessary to accept the artist's nature? As to my Requiem, perhaps I have also instinctively sought to escape from what is thought right and proper, after all the years of accompanying burial services on the organ! I know it all by heart. I wanted to write something different
Faure
The composition features an incredible setting of 2 violas, 2 celli, bass and organ. This with no treble instruments, there is a sonority and deepness of sound that suits the sombre character of the text. Unfortunately, there are no decent YouTube recordings of this setting, so this the second revision of the piece to include violins..
I have always adored this piece, but I never play it any more, as I am now a specialist in the wrong era of music. It is one pieces that miss the most...
This particular movement (Agnus Dei) is one of the most beautiful settings, with the violas and cell intertwining and providing a soft rolling background for the elegantly simple tenor solo. It is a piece that always brings a tear to my eye... Even when I was performing it...
Text
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
dona eis requiem sempiternam.
Translation
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
grant them rest.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
grant them rest.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
grant them eternal rest.
The performers
The Academy of St Martin's in the Fields is one of the premier chamber orchestras from London. I love very much most of their performances, but for their Baroque and Classical interpretations, I do not agree with their musical choices.
However, for this Faure, they are really in their element and they provide a great and moving rendition of this piece.
Previous Curating Music History posts
Last movements from 2nd Sonata in a minor (Westhoff)
Last movement from Brahms Violin Concerto
Finale from 4th Symphony (Tchaikovsky)
Last movement from "Jupiter" Symphony #41 (Mozart)
Overture to Midsummer Night's Dream (Mendelssohn)
Histoire du Tango: Cafe 1930 (Piazzolla)
Last movement from Violin sonata 2 (Prokofiev)
Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Britten)
'Sonata in d minor for violin and continuo" (Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre)
'Sonata duodecima' for Violin and Continuo(Isabella Leonarda)
Chaconne from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (Lully)
Upgoats by ryivhnn
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Beautiful piece @bengy. Interesting that he didn't have anyone in mind when he wrote this. It's only fitting for it to be his. It's beautiful.
I don't know have you done an article on the difference between the violin and viola? If not might be a good idea, not too many people would really notice a difference if they didn't know the difference in sound between the two.
A Violin and Viola post was also suggest by someone in the past! I have it on my list of things to write about, and now that I'm travelling again, I will probably have time to write it! Probably, I will have to find good demo videos of the two sounds!
That would be awesome. If I remember a viola is more melodic sounding, right? I violin I can usually tell right off. I guess I could google if I really want to know. I'm just testing my memory.
A violin is the treble and the viola the alto. So a violin sounds bright, whilst a viola will sound more mellow.
How cool! I've heard lots of pieces of music called Requiems, but I've never known what that term actually meant. Knowledge comes in strange places sometimes. Thanks for sharing beautiful music and keeping these old arts alive.
Glad to share the knowledge!
I was forced to go to church and listen as a young child. This music stirs up emotions - for my self-allotted 3 seconds.
Then the deviant in me just thinks of angel/demon movies.
Namaste, JaiChai
Angel/Demon movies! I don't know any good ones, got a recommendation?
Great movie!
Namaste, JaiChai
Each musical work has an interpretation that will be given to each person who listens to it, for its sonority and complexity that can lead in itself regardless of the reason for which it was created. In my case this music gives me a strong sense of mystery and sorrow, which does not mean that it ceases to be enjoyable. Regards!
That is the beauty of music! It is cathartic to feel those emotions!
Such a lovely piece, I love classical music and the requiem's tend to always have a lovely sound to it with some epicness.
Yes, this one has a mix, a pretty epic and nasty turn in the middle!
I like the Mozart's requem more, but this one is really good. Music is catching on!
Mozart did write a great one, and it is by far and away more famous, but this one does hold a special place in my heart!
Man Music use to be so much better. This stuff makes you feel.
You can also find good music these days that will do the same, just not the stuff the record labels push!
For me it is a beautiful and calming piece
It is really a stunning piece! Sadness and beauty combined....
I find the descriptions about death to be beautiful.
Death is not a thing to fear. It is inevitable, and we must not fear the inevitable. I believe that in death, we come back to our true Selves. To our Souls. To our truest nature. This music does encapsulate that. It's haunting yet beautiful.
Thanks for sharing.
The music has a great mix between beauty and sadness...
I don't know what other think, but for me, I think the greatest fear about death is the unknown...