Search - Mozart, Giulini, Estes :: Requiem

Reverential Requiem

John P. Carsley | Lititz, PA USA | 10/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Carlo Maria Giulini's 1991 version of the Requiem with the Philharmonia Orchestra is truly music at prayer - no doubt as Mozart intended. It is slowly measured (over 60 minutes), but it makes for a wonderful religious experience. The Dies Ires leaves you awe struck and feeling very small and very mortal. The Lacrimosa reminds me of John Dunne's entreaty to "not ask for whom the bell tolls". The singing of the soloists are all magnificent - especially soprano Lynne Dawson. She expresses a sorrow in the Introit and Communio that seems to extend to all of us. The sound is very good. The separation of choir and orchestra is quite remarkable. This is the recording of the Requiem to own."

Divinely Inspiring and Moving

Octavius | United States | 10/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Requiems are Catholic masses for the dead and are probably some of the most difficult works to compose. Very few composers have written requiems and those that have can be counted with one's fingers. Perhaps even fewer conductors are able to properly direct a symphony and choir for such pieces. Out of all these requiems, there are really none that match Mozart's graceful and divine talent which, as Salieri mentioned in Amedeus, is nothing less than "The voice of God!" So profound is this work by Mozart that it would make the Devil want to go to Heaven so as to hear his divine genius direct a choir of angels for this piece in person. In terms of performances, I haven't found many that match Giulini's profound and serene interpretation: it is simply exquisite.



Giulini, who died of old age recently, was one of the most accomplished musical conductors of the 20th century and was as great as Herbert Von Karajan. His collaborations with the divine diva Maria Callas are legendary. Giulini is a good choice for this composition because, although he comes from the old school like Karajan and Solti, his specialty was mostly opera with Italian or Catholic composers such as Mozart. He also completed this performance at an older age at a point when his musical talent had really ripened to interpret this piece. He puts in his 'Requiem' movement the right amount of grace and meter so that one can feel that this piece is a reckoning for one's Judgment Day where they will have to face the sum of their life and answer to God. In movements such as 'Dies Irae' you really feel divine wrath coming for the wicked. "Tuba Mirum" is nice interpretion here with bass/baritone. I didn't find this to be the best interpretation of 'Lacrimosa' but it wasn't bad either. The performance here for 'Benedictus' is simply the most divine interpretation I have ever heard for this piece. Giulini is generally slower in interpretation like most conductors of his generation, but unlike his German trained counterparts however, he was well trained in Italian traditions especially liturgical works and, of course, opera. Giulini's opera background is even more evidence of his talent because opera directors and singers are usually not a good choice for a requiem or liturgical works in general. Opera techniques in music and singing emphasize on dramatism or comedy that are are too extreme for such a stoic and somber work. I was also somewhat disappointed with Marinner's performance and even more with Gardiner's as their interpretations are much too fast to the point that I feel like I'm listening to Mozart's 'Cosi Fan Tutti' as opposed to his Requiem. In comparison with German conductors of his generation, Giulini's interpretation has the light gallantry of Mozart as opposed to the weight of Wagner. It has enough speed to make you feel like your soul is gently rising to Heaven or falling into the pits of Hell which is what this piece is supposed to make you feel like. Giulini reached a perfect balance at interpreting the meter for this performance which is neither too slow or too fast. The choir and soloists are excellent and all performed extremely well. The recording quality is also super-bit and top quality.



I thought this was a great performance and had superior interpretation than the ones I mentioned here. You certainly can't go wrong with buying this performance as it is directed by a legendary conductor who had over 50 years of experience with these types of compositions prior to having performed this one here. This a great buy!"