Search - Hanno Muller-Brachmann, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Philippe Herreweghe :: Mozart: Requiem

An excellent period performance

Jay Jeon | Atlanta, GA United States | 02/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mozart's Requeim is another masterpiece where he unleashes his overwhelming genius, which even his jealous contemporaries could not not find words for other than "divine". At the same time, it is also a subject of great controversy as to how the unfinished portions should have been completed (serious listeners should try to learn more about how Sussmayr completed the work and how his work is criticized). Whatever the case, this is unquestionably one of the greatest works of art ever created by man.Having said that about the music itself, I find this particular recording to be an excellent performance not unworthy of Mozart's genius. This is a "period" performance, meaning the instruments and the style of playing were chosen to resemble those of Mozart's time. If you are used to "modernized" performances such as the excellent Karajan recordings, which usually have a slower tempo, you may need some time to adjust to the period setting of recordings such as these.This is a beautiful recording. The chorus and soloists soar with beauty, elegance, and vigor, yet with all the seriousness, reverance and appreciation toward what is transcendental, eternal and perfect, the spirit that forms the essence of the music itself. The orchestra beautifully harmonizes with the vocals. The recording is also excellent, giving clear yet adequately reverberant sound. The Penguin Guide calls Herreweghe's conducting "arresting from the very dramatic opening bars." This is one of my favorite CD's, and definitely a must-buy for Requeim fans. Another excellent period performance is Gardiner's 1986 recording. And those looking for a good "modern" performance should also try Karajan's 1987 recording."

The best of these other five performances that i own:

raphaelo_ | Tel-Aviv, Israel | 03/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own 6 different performances of Mozart's Requiem, which is in my mind, one of the deepest moving, most thrilling pieces of music ever composed. This performance ranks top among the following performances, which i own, not given here in any particular order:1. von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker (impressive, but very slow, and the audio quality is lacking)
2. von Karajan, Wiener Philharmoniker
3. Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
4. Sir Colin Davis, BBC symphony orchestra
5. Karl Bohm, Wiener PhilharmonikerThe best performance i've heard of the requiem is a live one given by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra several years ago, and unfortunately they never recorded it. Herreweghe's cd is of the highest audio quality, and musically in top form. This recording was done with period instruments, which we're accostumed to think of as lacking in richness of sound and dynamic range, but Herreweghe's conducting puts all these fears to rest - use at your will all the positive meaningless adjectives people use to describe music. Just get it and hear it already. You won't be disappointed."

Sussmayr's Requiem

Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 01/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Franz Xaver Sussmayr's finishing touches of Mozart's requiem is by far my favorite version. It sounds more Mozart-like than other new interpretations out there, and it has the same "classical" feel for death upon special people. Philippe Herreweghe handles the periodical Champs-Elysees Orchestra and the choirs almost perfectly, and the tempi are quite accurate as from the 1790's. The soloists, especially Bostridge, sing their parts well. Highly recommended for those who are sick and tired of either Karajan's slow and dull pace, or Gardiner's unpolished orchestral sounds."