Verdi Requiem - Herbert von Karajanby Beirut768

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November 04, 2008: Verdi much idolized Alessanrao Manzoni, the famous Italian poet, humanist, writer and novelist. ""O'Lord! Grant them eternal rest"" was the principal musical setting of the Requiem that Verdi devoted to the first anniversary immortalizing his idol.

Verdi's Requiem was performed in the church of Saint Marco - Milan in May 1874.

This ninety minutes masterpiece - assigned for a large orchestra - is often referred to as the Manzoni Requiem.
Verdi began composing in June 1873. He travelled to Paris where he included a revised version of the `Libera me' that was originally written for Rossini.

Almost one hundred years later, and as always, Herbert Von Karajan, throughout his outstanding conducting techniques, has been able to `translate' the powerful emotions, the energetic rhythms, the elevated melodies, and the exalted ideals in the full texts.

"Dies Irae" is superb; some two and a half minutes that bring the traditional sequence of the Latin funeral rituals. Music flows like in a fountain and is repeated with forceful sense of musical continuity, exploring the feelings of loss and sorrow as well as the human supplication for forgiveness and mercy found in splendid cohesive notes.

In 1972, Karajan had become a world figure and hence an object of intense jealousy on the part of his less fortunate colleagues. But who could have given us better interpretation than this greatest `Verdian'- Karajan.

Listen to the jubilant "Sanctus" - here it begins with lively fanfare to announce Him "who comes in the name of the Lord" and leads into an angelic "Agnus Dei" sung by the female soloists with the chorus.

Finally the "Libera me," the oldest music by Verdi in the Requiem, interrupts. The soprano cries out, praying, "Free me, Lord, from eternal death ... when you will come to judge the world by fire.".................