Verdi: Requiem London Symphony Orchestra & Sir Colin Davis

• Giuseppe Verdi (1813 - 1901): Requiem:
• 1 I. Requiem Aeternam 09:09
• 2 II. Dies Irae 02:17
• 3 III. Tuba Mirum 03:26
• 4 IV. Liber Scriptus 05:02
• 5 V. Quid Sum Miser 03:36
• 6 VI. Rex Tremendae 03:35
• 7 VII. Recordare 03:58
• 8 VIII. Ingemisco 03:28
• 9 IX. Confutatis 05:27
• 10 X. Lacrymosa 05:38
• 11 XI. Domine Jesu Christe 04:17
• 12 XII. Hostias 05:29
• 13 XIII. Sanctus 02:36
• 14 XIV. Agnus Dei 04:27
• 15 XV. Lux Aeterna 06:15
• 16 XVI. Libera Me, Dies Irae, Requiem Aeternam 07:24
• 17 XVII. Libera Me 05:52
• Total Runtime 01:21:56

Info for Verdi: Requiem

Aside from his operas, Verdi is best known for his extraordinary Requiem, written in memory of the Italian writer and nationalist Alessandro Manzoni. The dramatic power of the famous Dies irae and the sublime lyricism of the work's solo passages have led many to describe it as more of an opera than a formal Requiem Mass.

"…Sir Colin conducts the Requiem with a judicious mix of fire and meditative calm; tempi never drag nor are they, in the reflective passages, metronome-quick. The work of the LSO Chorus is first-rate, as is that of the LSO itself." (Gramophone Magazine)

"Davis, first and foremost, sees the Requiem as being driven by unresolvable inner tensions and ­paradoxes...Davis creates a sense of almost unendurable emotional uncertainty by reminding us that consolation is ­repeatedly proffered, only to be whisked away." (The Guardian)

"Each of the incisively characterised sections flows naturally out of each other ...one of the most driven things I've heard Davis do ...superlative." (ClassicalSource)

Christine Brewer, soprano
Karen Cargill, mezzo-soprano
Stuart Neill, tenor
John Relyea, bass-baritone
London Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis, conductor

Sir Colin Davis
The traditional road to success for a conductor used to be an apprenticeship in an opera house as a coach, playing the piano for singers in rehearsal. Colin Davis chose another route, partly by necessity. Unable to play the piano, he was not allowed into the conducting course at the Royal College of Music in London. So, he achieved an important international career by taking the initiative to form ensembles and conduct for friends at first. Early successes included the founding of the Chelsea Opera Group, a company which to this day gives performances of little known operas in concert.

Davis was soon working with professional orchestras including the BBC Scottish Symphony. His first ‘break’ was at Sadler’s Wells in 1958 when his conducting of Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio began a lifelong connection with that composer. The Edinburgh Festival followed along with Glyndebourne. His concert career blossomed in the mid 1960′s alongside his opera work and his other passion for Berlioz began to bring him to the attention of record lovers. He has recorded all the major works of Berlioz, including the first complete (and still regarded as the landmark) recording of Les Troyens.

Davis has enjoyed a career-long affiliation with Philips Classics, recording along with Berlioz, Mozart, the complete symphonies of Sibelius (while he was Principal Guest Conductor of the Boston Symphony in the 1970s) and much more.

Booklet for Verdi: Requiem