On November 12th, together with the Basel Bach Choir, the Zurich Mixed Choir, the Basel Boys' Choir and renowned soloists, we will present Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem".
Under the direction of Joachim Krause, the performance of the monumental Requiem, considered a milestone of post-war music, continues its season at the Stadtcasino Basel. The soloists are soprano Susanne Bernhard, tenor Thomas Mohr, and baritone Markus Eiche. The pre-concert talk begins at 6:15 p.m., the concert at 7:00 p.m. Britten's "War Requiem" can be heard at the Tonhalle Zürich on November 11 at 7:30 p.m.
An act of destruction and cultural barbarity gave rise to one of the central works of 20th-century music: Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem" is a work of quiet mourning, of remembrance for all those who died in war – and of reconciliation. The composition premiered on May 30, 1962, on the occasion of the consecration of the newly built cathedral in Coventry, England. Its medieval predecessor had been destroyed by German aerial bombs during the so-called "Operation Moonlight Sonata.".
The English composer used the commission he received to translate his deeply rooted pacifist and humanitarian convictions into music. In his powerful appeal against war, Britten juxtaposes the traditional text of the Latin Requiem Mass with the poignant poems of Wilfred Owen, a soldier who died at the age of 25 in the final days of the First World War.
Britten's monumental composition for orchestra, choirs, three solo voices and organ is not only considered a milestone in post-war music, but continues to overwhelm with its direct expression – a World War oratorio as a cautionary document of protest and resistance against the wars of the 20th century.
