Audio Sample
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Performance by Greta Bradman, Elder Conservatorium Chorale, Elder Conservatorium Symphony, Arvo Volmer from the CD Selected Works by AMC Represented Artists, vol. 125. |
Non-Commercial
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CD
Selected Works by AMC Represented Artists, vol. 125.
Library shelf no. CD 3169 [Available for loan]
Score
Requiem / Carl Crossin ; text by Chang Heng, Kahlil Gibran & from the Latin Requiem Mass.
Library shelf no. 782.5522/CRO 1 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
Requiem draws inspiration both from the Gregorian chants of the Requiem Mass and from a range of Eastern philosophies.
Though through-composed, Requiem is divided into three sections: A Death, A Life and A Mystery.
A Death uses the 'Requiem aeternam' and 'Kyrie eleison' texts from the Requiem Mass plus fragments of text from 'The Bones of Chuang Tzu' by Chinese poet Chang Heng (AD 78 - 139). The references to rivers as metaphors for various aspects of life and death permeate the entire work.
A Life transforms the normally exultant Sanctus into a type of Celtic musical wake - a 'dance of life'. Some of the texts in this section are not necessarily treated in 'correct' liturgical order.
A Mystery uses 'On Death' from 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran (1883 - 1931) as a source of inspiration and exploration. Here, the circular notion of life as a 'river' returns as the poet attempts to unravel the mystery of life and death.
Beethoven said that "Requiems require no trump of doom". Requiem concerns itself more with the literal meaning of the word 'requiem' - rest and remembrance - and with the notion that death may be just another part of an eternal journey.
Work Details
Year: 2009
Instrumentation: Soprano solo, SATB chorus (with divisi), piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, assorted untuned percussion, xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, harp, piano, strings.
Duration: 29 min.
Difficulty: Advanced — Professional quality soprano required; good amateur, conservatorium, semi-pro or professional orchestra
Contents note: I. A Death -- II. A Life -- III. A Mystery.
Dedication note: Dedicated to the memory of Daniel Dolman (1978 - 2005) and Leonard Downing (1927 - 2007)
First performance: by Greta Bradman, Elder Conservatorium Chorale, Elder Conservatorium Symphony, Arvo Volmer — 28 Nov 09. Elder Hall, University of Adelaide, SA
The composer notes the following styles, genres, influences, etc in relation to this work:
Contemporary choral; some of the Gregorian chants from the Latin Requiem Mass is used as melodic material
Subjects
- In the form/style of: Spiritual and Sacred Music
Performances of this work
28 Nov 09: Elder Hall, University of Adelaide, SA. Featuring Greta Bradman, Elder Conservatorium Chorale, Elder Conservatorium Symphony, Arvo Volmer.
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