Requiem
Michel Chion
Programme notes
As with classical Requiems, the text of the Requiem is that of the Funeral Mass, to which are added an Épître (Epistle) (3), an Évangile (Gospel) (6) and the Our Father, the Pater Noster-Agnus Dei (8). It is presented in its original language (Latin or Greek), on rare occasions in French.
The Requiem was composed whilst thinking about the troubled minority of the living, rather than the silent majority of the dead. To the listener, it takes the form of an uneven dramatic course, the turnings and defections telling of a fundamental uncertainty in the face of life, death and faith.
At the level of form, the piece is based on a system of echoes and correspondence that is organized in a symmetrical fashion around an axis found in the middle of the work
With the Requiem, my intention was not to deliver a message or a manifesto, whether pro- or anti-religious. Rather, the piece is a personal testimony, in which I invite the listener to project himself, if he should like to dwell in this music of his experience and sensibility.
[xii-93]
Requiem was realized in the studios of the Groupe de recherches musicales (GRM) in Paris (France) and premiered on March 19, 1973 at the Théâtre Récamier in Paris, in a concert given by the GRM. The piece was commissioned by the Ina-GRM. Released in 1973 on the Ina-GRM label (AM68905), Requiem was awarded the Grand prix du disque of the Académie du disque français in 1978. With the voices of
Premiere
- March 19, 1973, Concert, Théâtre Récamier, Paris (France)
- Composer(s): Michel Chion
- Year of composition: 1973
- Instrumentation: stereo fixed medium
- Commission: Ina-GRM
Movements
Requiem Æternam
“Grant them eternal rest”
- Movement of: Requiem
- Duration: 5:32
- ISRC: CAD509310660
Kyrie eleison
“Lord, have mercy on us”
- Movement of: Requiem
- Duration: 1:37
- ISRC: CAD509320010
Épître
(Epistle) “Death, where is your victory
- Movement of: Requiem
- Duration: 1:12
- ISRC: CAD509320020
Dies Iræ
“On this day of wrath, what will I say
- Movement of: Requiem
- Duration: 6:00
- ISRC: CAD509320030
Domine Deus
“We offer you victims and prayers”
- Movement of: Requiem
- Duration: 1:53
- ISRC: CAD509320040
Évangile
(Gospel) “He will rise” (John 11, 21-27)
- Movement of: Requiem
- Duration: 3:28
- ISRC: CAD509320050
Sanctus
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts”
- Movement of: Requiem
- Duration: 2:29
- ISRC: CAD509320060
Pater Noster-Agnus Dei
“Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world”
- Movement of: Requiem
- Duration: 2:17
- ISRC: CAD509320070
Lux æterna
“The eternal light”
- Movement of: Requiem
- Duration: 1:39
- ISRC: CAD509320080
Libera Me
“Set me free”
- Movement of: Requiem
- Duration: 10:37
- ISRC: CAD509320090
