Michel Chion: Requiem: track detail

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electroradio

Requiem

Michel Chion

Requiem

Sub Rosa | SRV 251 | 2008

LP not in catalogue

Requiem (1973) 19m18s srv_251-1.1 | 14153 |

Composer: Michel Chion

Commission: Ina-GRM

Premiere: March 19, 1973, Théâtre Récamier (Paris, France)

As with classical Requiems, the text of the Requiem is that of the Funeral Mass, to which are added an Épître (Epistle) (3), an Évangile (Gospel) (6) and the Our Father, the Pater Noster-Agnus Dei (8). It is presented in its original language (Latin or Greek), on rare occasions in French.

The Requiem was composed whilst thinking about the troubled minority of the living, rather than the silent majority of the dead. To the listener, it takes the form of an uneven dramatic course, the turnings and defections telling of a fundamental uncertainty in the face of life, death and faith.

At the level of form, the piece is based on a system of echoes and correspondence that is organized in a symmetrical fashion around an axis found in the middle of the work: movement 10 incorporates elements already heard in movement 1, movement 9 has elements from movement 2, etc, with variants and dissymmetries in the detail. The axis for this construction is to be found in the 6th movement (Évangile), where a symbolic rupture of the tape occurs, a breaking of the piece itself, that opens a gap of eternity in the flow of time, allowing a glimpse of ‘something else.’

With the Requiem, my intention was not to deliver a message or a manifesto, whether pro- or anti-religious. Rather, the piece is a personal testimony, in which I invite the listener to project himself, if he should like to dwell in this music of his experience and sensibility.

[xii-93]

The Requiem was produced at the studios of the Groupe de recherches musicales (GRM) in Paris (France) and was premiered on March 19, 1973 at the Théâtre Récamier in Paris, in a concert given by the GRM. The work was commissioned by the Ina-GRM. Released in 1973 on the Ina-GRM label (AM68905), the Requiem was awarded the Grand prix du disque of the Académie du disque français in 1978. With the voices of: André Allag (6), Michèle Bokanowski (2), Caroline Bruas (3-7), Laure and Pierre Bruas (7), Robert Cahen (10), Michel Chion (1-3-4-5-7-8-9-10), Catherine Colas (8), Jean-Pierre Colas (3-7), Catherine Guérin (9), Bernard Guillochon (4), Geneviève Julien-Labruyère (1-10) and the vocal ensemble Le Madrigal de Paris (directed by Rachid Safir) (1-4-10). Many thanks to all those who have contributed to the production of this work, specially my friend Robert Cahen for his support and encouragement.

1. Requiem Æternam (1973) 5m26s srv_251-1.1.1 | 14154 |

Composer: Michel Chion

“Grant them eternal rest”

2. Kyrie Eleïson (1973) 1m35s srv_251-1.1.2 | 14156 |

Composer: Michel Chion

“Lord, have mercy on us”

3. Épître (1973) 1m09s srv_251-1.1.3 | 14157 |

Composer: Michel Chion

(Epistle) “Death, where is your victory?” (I Corinthians, 15)

4. Dies Iræ (1973) 5m53s srv_251-1.1.4 | 14158 |

Composer: Michel Chion

“On this day of wrath, what will I say?”

5. Domine Deus (1973) 1m48s srv_251-1.1.5 | 14159 |

Composer: Michel Chion

“We offer you victims and prayers”

6. Évangile (1973) 3m27s srv_251-1.1.6 | 14160 |

Composer: Michel Chion

(Gospel) “He will rise” (John 11, 21-27)

Requiem (1973) 17m18s srv_251-2.1 | 14153 |

Composer: Michel Chion

Commission: Ina-GRM

Premiere: March 19, 1973, Théâtre Récamier (Paris, France)

As with classical Requiems, the text of the Requiem is that of the Funeral Mass, to which are added an Épître (Epistle) (3), an Évangile (Gospel) (6) and the Our Father, the Pater Noster-Agnus Dei (8). It is presented in its original language (Latin or Greek), on rare occasions in French.

The Requiem was composed whilst thinking about the troubled minority of the living, rather than the silent majority of the dead. To the listener, it takes the form of an uneven dramatic course, the turnings and defections telling of a fundamental uncertainty in the face of life, death and faith.

At the level of form, the piece is based on a system of echoes and correspondence that is organized in a symmetrical fashion around an axis found in the middle of the work: movement 10 incorporates elements already heard in movement 1, movement 9 has elements from movement 2, etc, with variants and dissymmetries in the detail. The axis for this construction is to be found in the 6th movement (Évangile), where a symbolic rupture of the tape occurs, a breaking of the piece itself, that opens a gap of eternity in the flow of time, allowing a glimpse of ‘something else.’

With the Requiem, my intention was not to deliver a message or a manifesto, whether pro- or anti-religious. Rather, the piece is a personal testimony, in which I invite the listener to project himself, if he should like to dwell in this music of his experience and sensibility.

[xii-93]

The Requiem was produced at the studios of the Groupe de recherches musicales (GRM) in Paris (France) and was premiered on March 19, 1973 at the Théâtre Récamier in Paris, in a concert given by the GRM. The work was commissioned by the Ina-GRM. Released in 1973 on the Ina-GRM label (AM68905), the Requiem was awarded the Grand prix du disque of the Académie du disque français in 1978. With the voices of: André Allag (6), Michèle Bokanowski (2), Caroline Bruas (3-7), Laure and Pierre Bruas (7), Robert Cahen (10), Michel Chion (1-3-4-5-7-8-9-10), Catherine Colas (8), Jean-Pierre Colas (3-7), Catherine Guérin (9), Bernard Guillochon (4), Geneviève Julien-Labruyère (1-10) and the vocal ensemble Le Madrigal de Paris (directed by Rachid Safir) (1-4-10). Many thanks to all those who have contributed to the production of this work, specially my friend Robert Cahen for his support and encouragement.

1. Sanctus (1973) 2m25s srv_251-2.1.1 | 14161 |

Composer: Michel Chion

“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts”

2. Pater Noster-Agnus Dei (1973) 2m15s srv_251-2.1.2 | 14162 |

Composer: Michel Chion

“Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world”

3. Lux æterna (1973) 1m38s srv_251-2.1.3 | 14163 |

Composer: Michel Chion

“The eternal light”

4. Libera Me (1973) 11m00s srv_251-2.1.4 | 14155 |

Composer: Michel Chion

“Set me free”

Michel Chion: Requiem: track detail

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