War Requiem
The War Requiem, Op. 66, is a large-scale setting of the Requiem Mass for soloists, chorus, boys choir, and orchestra, composed by Benjamin Britten mostly in 1961 and completed in January 1962. It was commissioned to mark the consecration of the rebuilt Coventry Cathedral, which was destroyed in a German bombing raid during World War II. The premiere took place on 30 May 1962.
Britten interlaced the traditional Latin Requiem Mass with poems by the English poet Wilfred Owen, who was killed in action in World War I just a week before the Armistice. The texts reflect Owen's experiences and pacifist views, providing a commentary on the human cost of war and a plea for peace.
The work is scored for soprano soloist, tenor soloist, baritone soloist, chorus, boys' choir, organ, and a large orchestra. Additionally, there is a chamber orchestra used specifically to accompany the tenor and baritone soloists in the Owen settings. This deliberate separation of forces symbolizes the differing perspectives and realities present within the Requiem.
The War Requiem is divided into six movements that correspond to the traditional sections of the Requiem Mass:
- Requiem aeternam
- Dies irae
- Offertorium
- Sanctus
- Agnus Dei
- Libera me
Within each movement, Britten juxtaposes the Latin text with Owen's poetry, often creating a dramatic and emotionally powerful effect. For instance, the "Dies irae" sequence, a vivid depiction of Judgment Day, is interrupted by Owen's "Anthem for Doomed Youth." The "Agnus Dei" incorporates Owen's "The Next War."
The choice of soloists at the premiere was significant. Britten intended to have a British tenor, a German baritone, and a Russian soprano, symbolizing reconciliation and peace between the nations involved in the war. However, due to illness, the Russian soprano was replaced by Heather Harper at the last minute.
The War Requiem is widely considered one of Britten's masterpieces and a powerful anti-war statement. It combines profound musicality with deeply felt humanism, offering a moving and thought-provoking reflection on the themes of war, loss, and hope.