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Description

Description

Thoughts about "Requiem" by Mikis Theodorakis:
Having already composed two liturgical pieces 'Kassiani' (1942) and 'Divine Liturgy' (1982) I set about composing a third one, a Mass for the Dead, in 1984. I called it 'Requiem' to emphasize the connection with this specific musical form which we know so well from the European musical tradition. The basic difference between the Requiem and my earlier liturgical compositions lies both in the arrangement of the melos and its harmonization. Apart from that it was very important for me to use a choir and to put great emphasis on the relationship which was to be built up between the soloists, the mixed choir and the children's choir. I deemed it necessary to have both a children's choir and a female soloist although these are two items which are not permitted in the orthodox church. This contrast of children's voices symbolizing the offensive presence of life in the face of death helps us somehow to free ourselves from the macabre dominance of an inevitable and yet overwhelming, mysterious phenomenon, or so I believe. In my opinion, this text written by the church father John of Damascus is one of the greatest achievements in Greek lyrics, and indeed in every respect: human, spiritual, philosophical and poetical. This text leads us to recognize the true and proper dimensions within the order of our world, it invites us to an intoxicating immersion into our own self to discover ''the light that burns'', which helps us recognize the true nature and the quintessence of human existence: the union of ourselves with the mystery of death, this being the only guarantee, maybe the only possibility, to understand the nature of life.

Content

Evlogitos O Theos
Evlogitos Ei Kyrie
Doxa-To Trilampes
Pia Tou Biou Tryfi
Oimoi, Oion Agona
Pou Estin I Tou Kosmou
Emnisthin Tou Profitou
Kat' Eikona Sin Kai Omoiosin
Doxa Patri
Makarioi
Exelthomen
Amin