German composer Sven Helbig will present his Requiem A in Central Westminster Hall, London on October 4 this year as Martin Lehmann conducts the mass forces of the London Contemporary Orchestra, Trinity Boys Choir, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Poznan Boys' Choir, La Maîtrise de garçons de Colmar, and René Pape, one of the world’s leading vocal basses. The composer himself will perform live electronics.
Th substantial new work was premiered earlier this year in Dresden, commemorating 80 years since the destruction of the city in World War II through the bombing in February 1945. The work is a reflection on the destruction and death that war brings and an impressive call for peace sung by young people. The world premiere has been released as an album by Deutsche Grammophon in May this year and it has also been recorded by Arte TV.
The A in Requiem A stands for “Anfang” (beginning), other key words are “Asche” (ash), “Aufbruch” (setting off), and “Atmen” (breathing). The text is a combination of liturgical and new texts, similar to a “destroyed and partially rebuild city”, Helbig says. He continues: “Kreuzkirche in Dresden withstood the bombing, but the Altmarkt around it was destroyed and not historically rebuilt. … This is exactly how Requiem A was created on a ground plan. Kyrie and Agnus Dei are, so to speak, the old monuments on it.“
For more information, please see the website of Sven Helbig: Requiem A.
