description Requiem Op. 48 (Fauré) Overview
Requiem Op. 48 by Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924) is a French choral requiem begun in 1887, notable for its serene, consolatory character and its omission of the Dies irae, contrasting with the dramatic tradition of the genre.
insights Ranking position
Requiem Op. 48 (Fauré) ranks #1 of 187 in the Choral Music ranking, ahead of Mass in B Minor.
help Requiem Op. 48 (Fauré) FAQ
Why does Fauré's Requiem omit most of the Dies irae?
Fauré designed the work around rest, consolation, and eternal light rather than the terror of Last Judgment. Only the "Pie Jesu" text from the traditional Dies irae sequence remains as a separate soprano solo.
What is unusual about the final movement of Fauré's Requiem?
The work ends with "In Paradisum," a text normally associated with the burial procession rather than the Mass Ordinary. Its high choral lines and gentle accompaniment give the Requiem its distinctive vision of peaceful arrival.
Which version of Fauré's Requiem is usually performed?
The Requiem exists in more than one orchestration, including an intimate church version and a later version for fuller orchestra. Modern performances may therefore sound quite different in weight even when they use the same seven movements.
Who sings the major solos in Requiem Op. 48?
A baritone is featured in the "Offertoire" and "Libera me," while a treble or soprano sings the "Pie Jesu." The chorus carries most of the work, often in restrained dynamics rather than the operatic style associated with Verdi's Requiem.
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