Requiem (Ligeti)
The Requiem is a choral work composed by György Ligeti between 1963 and 1965. It is scored for soprano and mezzo-soprano soloists, two mixed choirs (each of 20 singers), and a large orchestra consisting of: 4 flutes (2nd, 3rd & 4th also piccolo), 4 oboes (2nd also oboe d'amore, 3rd & 4th also English horn), 3 clarinets (2nd also E-flat clarinet, 3rd also bass clarinet), 3 bassoons (3rd also contrabassoon), 4 horns, 4 trumpets (1st also piccolo trumpet in D), 4 trombones, tuba, percussion (4 players: xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel, celesta, antique cymbals, 3 tam-tams, suspended cymbal, 2 bass drums), and strings.
The Requiem is divided into four movements:
- Introitus
- Kyrie
- De die judicii sequentia: Dies irae
- Lacrimosa
The work is known for its dense textures, microtonality, and innovative use of vocal and instrumental sounds. The Introitus features a sustained cluster of voices, gradually building in intensity. The Kyrie utilizes canonic writing and complex rhythmic patterns. The Dies irae is a dramatic and highly charged movement, employing a wide range of vocal techniques, including Sprechstimme and extended vocalizations. The Lacrimosa is a more subdued and lyrical movement, featuring a soaring soprano solo and lush orchestral textures.
Ligeti's Requiem is considered a landmark work of the 20th-century avant-garde and a significant contribution to the requiem mass tradition. It is frequently performed and has been recorded by numerous ensembles. The piece gained wider recognition after being featured prominently in Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey (specifically, the Kyrie).