Benjamin Britten (1913-76), War Requiem, Op. 61, 1961

Latin texts from the Requiem Mass; English poetry by Wilfred Owen

for full orchestra, chamber orchestra, chorus, boys choir,

organ, and soloists (soprano, tenor, baritone)

in 6 movements

LEFT TOP: Benjamin Britten

LEFT BOTTOM: Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)

RIGHT TOP: Shell of St. Michael’s Cathedral

adjacent to new1962 cathedral

in Coventry, England

BELOW: Ruins of St. Michael’s Cathedral

in 1940

Movement V: Agnus DeiTENOR SOLO (with chamber orchestra):

One ever hangs where shelled roads part. In this war He too lost a limb,

But His disciples hide apart; and now the Soldiers bear with Him.

CHORUS (with full orchestra):

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

dona eis requiem. Grant them rest.

TENOR SOLO (with chamber orchestra):

Near Golgotha strolls many a priest, and in their faces there is pride

That they were flesh-marked by the Beast by whom the gentle Christ’s denied.

CHORUS (with full orchestra):

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

dona eis requiem. Grant them rest.

TENOR SOLO (with chamber orchestra):

The scribes on all the people shove and bawl allegiance to the state,

But they who love the greater love, lay down their life; they do not hate.

CHORUS (with full orchestra):

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

dona eis requiem sempiternam. Grant them eternal rest.

TENOR SOLO (over held final chord):

Dona nobis pacem. Give us peace.

Krzysztof Penderecki (b. 1933)

Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima, 1960

for 52 strings