Requiem BBC 4

[Barbirollians]

New Bridcut film tonight . The most shocking thing about it was Edward Gardner's appalling haircut !

Otherwise , it was interesting I thought albeit that talking heads style I always find rather odd - Colin Davis's contributions were poignant I thought .

I remain of the view that no matter how much of it sussmayr wrote that Mozart's Requiem is much the most beautiful and moving of all those I have heard .

[Beef Oven!]

I remain of the view that no matter how much of it sussmayr wrote that Mozart's Requiem is much the most beautiful and moving of all those I have heard .

You haven't heard Ligeti's requiem then?

[jean]

I thought it wouldn't tell me much I didn't already know, but it did - not least that everybody had and has tremendous admiration for Cherubini's Requiem which I have never even heard.

It was good to have the plainsong Dies Irae intercut with later settings, but there wasn't enough of the early polyphonic settings - just snatches of Ockeghem and Victoria.

I was rather sad to learn that the Duruflé Requiem was commissioned with the aim of glorifying the Vichy régime, and only missed fulfilling its purpose because the composer was such a slow worker.

[Stanley Stewart]

A most refreshing documentary which bodes well for Tony Hall's plans for increased coverage of the arts.

Worthwhile contributions from Edward Gardner, Jane Glover and affectionate memories of Colin Davis. Coincidentally, I also played the Archiv CD of the Victoria Requiem this afternoon; Gabrieli Consort/ Paul McCreesh. Hadn't realised that anti- 'Popery' prejudice delayed the Faure input for 20 years in this country but must now unearth the Berlioz and Durufle recordings.

Good to see that John Bridcut is still at the forefront in his field.

[Barbirollians]

I must admit to struggling with Berlioz's big choral numbers - all a bit overblown for me . The Durufle I have always , despite the efforts of Dame janet Baker and Philip Ledger a felt like it was the requiem equivalent of a Hollywood sequel to the Faure .

Cherubini's C Minor requiem on the other hand sounded splendid - what is his later D Minor like ?

[jean]

I see nothing remotely Hollywood- or even sequel-like about the Duruflé!

I have never heard either Cherubini setting.

...Worthwhile contributions from Edward Gardner, Jane Glover and affectionate memories of Colin Davis...

And from John Rutter.

I wonder if he minded that his own Requiem went unmentioned?

[VodkaDilc]

New Bridcut film tonight . The most shocking thing about it was Edward Gardner's appalling haircut !

Otherwise , it was interesting I thought albeit that talking heads style I always find rather odd - Colin Davis's contributions were poignant I thought .

I remain of the view that no matter how much of it sussmayr wrote that Mozart's Requiem is much the most beautiful and moving of all those I have heard .

I've just watched the first 15 minutes. Looks promising.

What's wrong with Ed G's haircut? Looks smart to me. Perhaps Barbirollians should spend more time in boys' public schools - they all have their hair done like that.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

an excellent programme and would very much like to see many more such documentaries

[Barbirollians]

I've just watched the first 15 minutes. Looks promising.

What's wrong with Ed G's haircut? Looks smart to me. Perhaps Barbirollians should spend more time in boys' public schools - they all have their hair done like that.

Probably why I don't like it ! Looks like it has been piped on .

[BBMmk2]

One of the best setti9ngs, imo, is Tomas Luis de Victoria's.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The Durufle I have always , despite the efforts of Dame janet Baker and Philip Ledger, felt like it was the requiem equivalent of a Hollywood sequel to the Faure .

My feelings, too, Barbi - 'tho' I adore Berlioz' setting.

Bbm mentions the wonderful Victoria setting:

Stravinsky's "Pocket Requiem" also comes at the top of my "list" - it contains everything!

[DublinJimbo]

A fascinating programme. I was a bit put off at first by all the talking heads and the the tendency to push the music into the background, but I was quickly won over.

• I was delighted to hear the enthusiasm for Cherubini. I only discovered his Requiem a couple of years ago and was instantly impressed.
• Should I hang my head in shame when I admit that I hadn't even been aware that Schumann wrote a Requiem?
• I must chase down the Pizzetti.
• Edward Gardner's contribution, both as a talking head and as conductor, impressed me enormously.
• The former Archbishop of Canterbury was a bit of a star.

[Mary Chambers]

I've just watched it. I really enjoyed it, even though it seemed to jump about rather too much. I learnt quite a lot. I've never heard the Cherubini, and I've never even heard of Pizzetti. Like most choral singers, I've sung the well known ones, even the Berlioz, in an exciting but distinctly imperfect performance at the opening of the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

Nothing wrong with Gardner's hair! And his mad eyes made a change from Mark Elder's mad eyes, which have been in evidence in more than one BBC4 music programme.

[Barbirollians]

I've just watched it. I really enjoyed it, even though it seemed to jump about rather too much. I learnt quite a lot. I've never heard the Cherubini, and I've never even heard of Pizzetti. Like most choral singers, I've sung the well known ones, even the Berlioz, in an exciting but distinctly imperfect performance at the opening of the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

Nothing wrong with Gardner's hair! And his mad eyes made a change from Mark Elder's mad eyes, which have been in evidence in more than one BBC4 music programme.

His hair is terrible - though I doubt it played a part in Alison Balsam giving him the push.

He is a very talented conductor though.

[DracoM]

Talking of requiems, available at the moment via the St Thomas Fifth Ave NYC website is the Durufle Requiem sung liturgically [ and very movingly] on Sunday, Nov 10th at their Solemn Eucharist.