description Britten - War Requiem, Op. 66 Overview
Benjamin Britten composed his 1962 "War Requiem," a monumental pacifist statement combining the Latin Requiem mass with the World War I poetry of Wilfred Owen.
help Britten - War Requiem, Op. 66 FAQ
Which poets' works are combined in Britten's 'War Requiem'?
The piece juxtaposes the traditional Latin Requiem mass with the stark, anti-war poetry of World War I soldier Wilfred Owen. Britten completed this massive pacifist statement in 1962.
What was the occasion for the premiere of Britten's 'War Requiem'?
It was commissioned to celebrate the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral in England. The original cathedral had been destroyed by German bombing during World War II in 1940.
Who were the three soloists intended for the premiere of the 'War Requiem'?
Britten specifically chose soloists from different warring nations: British tenor Peter Pears, Russian soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, and German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Vishnevskaya was denied permission to perform by the Soviet government, so Heather Harper stepped in.
What forces are required to perform the 'War Requiem'?
The work is notoriously massive, requiring a full symphony orchestra, a chamber orchestra, a large mixed choir, a boys' choir, and three soloists. The boys' choir is often placed far away, creating an ethereal, distant echo effect.
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