Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

War Requiem (1961)

for soprano, tenor, baritone, choir, orchestra, chamber orchestra, children's choir and organ

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1961 - 20 dec 1961
    • Duration: 1 h 25 mn
    • Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
    • Opus: 66
    • Dedication: 'In loving memory of Roger Burney, Sub-Lieutenant R.N.V.R., Piers Dunkerley, Captain Royal Marines, David Gill, Ordinary Seaman, Royal Navy, Michael Halliday, Lieutenant, R.NN.Z.N.V.R.'
    • Libretto (details, author):

      ‘Missa pro Defunctis’ et poèmes de Wilfred Owen

Detailed formation
  • soloists: 1 solo soprano, 1 solo tenor, 1 solo baritone
  • mixed choir, children's choir
  • 4 flutes [dont 1 : ensemble de chambre] (also 1 piccolo [doublant flûte : ensemble de chambre] ), 4 oboes [dont 1 : ensemble de chambre] , 4 clarinets [dont 1 : ensemble de chambre] , 4 bassoons [dont 1 : ensemble de chambre] , 7 horns [dont 1 : ensemble de chambre] , 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba, 7 percussionists [dont 1 : ensemble de chambre] , 1 timpani, 1 harp [ensemble de chambre] , 1 piano, 1 organ [ad lib.] , 1 strings [orchestre] , 1 violin [ensemble de chambre] , 1 second violin [ensemble de chambre] , 1 viola [ensemble de chambre] , 1 cello [ensemble de chambre] , 1 double bass [ensemble de chambre] , 1 organ [de chambre ou harmonium, pour accompagner le chœur d enfants]

Premiere information

  • Date: 30 May 1962
    Location:

    Festival, consécration de la cathédrale St Michael, Coventry


    Performers:

    Heather Harper, Peter Pears, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, the Coventry Festival Chorus, le chœur des enfants de Holy Trinity, Leamington et de Holy Trinity Stratford, l'orchestre symphonique de Birmingham, direction : Meredith Davies et le Melos Ensemble, direction : Benjamin Britten.