Philzuid

With his War Requiem, Benjamin Britten wrote a timeless and moving mass for all war victims. Philzuid pulls out all the stops for a top-notch performance. The horrors of both world wars were unprecedented. Even now, we live in a time of armed conflict. In 1962, composer Benjamin Britten completed a moving requiem for all war victims, past and present. His War Requiem touches the heart and soul. Britten produced an impressive work for three vocal soloists, choirs, organ, and large orchestra. The inspiration for his requiem was the rebuilt Coventry Cathedral, which had been so badly damaged during World War II.

On November 14, 1940, virtually the whole of Coventry was reduced to ashes by German bombing, including the monumental cathedral. By some miracle, the tower and spire were spared. In 1962, the new St. Michael’s Cathedral was finally rebuilt and Britten’s hour-and-a-half-long mass was performed during the official opening. As a staunch pacifist and humanist, Britten saw his new requiem as the perfect outlet for all his emotions. It soon became clear that the War Requiem would become one of Britten’s most important compositions.

Britten chose the Latin requiem mass as the basis for his War Requiem. But his requiem is given wings by the brilliant poetry of poet and soldier Wilfred Owen. His personal, poignant poems leave nothing to the imagination. Owen was in the midst of the devastating trench warfare during the First World War and he penetrates deeply into the pain of this futile war. At a time when the Netherlands and the world are once again cheerfully arming themselves, Britten’s music and Owen’s poetry raise a warning finger.

For this monumental performance, Philzuid is joining forces with the Groot Omroepkoor, Studium Chorale, and Schola Puerorum choirs to perform Britten’s masterpiece.

Program

Britten – War Requiem, op. 66