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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

The term requiem comes from the Roman Catholic mass for the dead, Missa pro defuntis. Although not all musicians treat it as a solely religious work, and their 'requiem' music is seldom used in the main parts of burial services. But the urge to write music for lost loved ones, using the wonderful Latin words of this service, seems overwhelming to many composers.

There are many musical settings, ranging from traditional plainsong to elaborate concert performance styles. Some examples include works by Palestrina, Mozart (not completed), Berlioz, Verdi, Dvorák, and Fauré. Many visitors will have felt the elation of hearing (or even better, taking part in) Fauré's beautifully restrained spiritual work.

Composed during 1887-89, Requiem was obviously inspired by the deaths of Gabriel's father in 1885 and his mother and 1887. The harmonies are still exceptionally fresh - he was undoubtedly a likeable musical rebel and as such moved others to experiment with musical sounds. Composed for Baritone and Soprano soloists, Chorus, Organ and Orchestra, it contains seven sections:

1.   Introit et Kyrie: Choir

2.   Offertoire: Choir and Baritone solo

3.   Sanctus: Choir

4.   Pie Jesu: Soprano solo

5.   Agnus Dei: Choir

6.   Libera Me: Choir and Baritone solo

7.   In Paradisum: Choir

Here is an aria (song) from Gabriel Fauré's Requiem. It is the soprano solo (IV) entitled Pie Jesu (probably my favourite): We hope you will join Gabriel in this glorious music. 

Go on, have a go at singing it in the Latin (*Have a look at our interspersed phonetic help-lines!) Expert linguistic advice welcome . . .

Pie Jesu

Pie Jesu Domine
*(Peeaye Yayzoo Darminay)
Dona eis requiem
*(Doana ayees raycuee-em)
Dona eis requiem
*(Doana ayees raycuee-em)

Pie Jesu Domine
dona eis requiem
dona eis requiem

Dona eis Domine
dona eis requiem
sempiternam requiem
*(saympeetarenam raycuee-em)
sempiternam requiem
sempiternam requiem

Pie Jesu Jesu
Pie Jesu domine
dona eis dona eis
sempiternam requiem
sempiternam requiem

Our 'kitchen sink' translation into English is: Lord Jesus, we dutifully come now to offer ourselves at thy alter. Come now Lord, bring us to rest in thy temple of everlasting repose. Classical scholars please assist us here. 

We would like to dedicate this page to all military and civilian victims of war.

And now for a look at another 'Easter Time' masterpiece: the Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana.

OR

Would you prefer to listen to Gabriel's Pavane

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