Customer Reviews

Mozart - Requiem / Gauvin · Lemieux · Tessier · Berg · La Chappelle de Québec · Les Violons du Roy · Labadie (Revised and Completed by Robert D. Levin)

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Of the three recordings I know of the Levin completion of Mozart's Requiem (the others being MacKerras and Pearlman) this particular one has to be the most convincing to me.

It is understated but still appropriately weighty. A live recording commemorating the World Trade Center/Pentagon disaster of September 11th, 2001, Labadie's rendition really does pack an emotional punch than most recordings currently on market.

Unlike the Pearlman recording, this present one is done on modern instruments although the dynamic featured Violons du Roy play in period style-- crisp, pure, without vibrato. It really makes this one unique. For example, listen to the fugue, "Quam olim Abrahe" as the violins place that stacatto on the first and third beats of their baroque-inspired ostinatos. It is not often that a recording of Mozart's Death Mass sound as new and fresh as this.

The soloists are likewise excellent.

The Levin completion is second my favorite (my absolute favorite being the Duncan Druce reworking). Druce's changes might be over-the-top for many listeners, but to most, Levin's is the closest to perfection as one can get. While I like Druce's completion of the Benedictus far more (it sounds like real Mozart!), Levin's is just fine. His "Amen" fugue is also the most satisfying.

I would reccommend both this recording and the one under the baton of MacKerras. The Pearlman might sound to light and airy for many (the ending to the Kyrie is far to fast.) I would also urge you to listen to the only recording of the Druce version under Roger Norrington on the Virgin Verital label, although the tempi could use slowing in some parts, it is still a very engaging listen.

This Mozart Requiem revised and completed by Robert D. Levin was performed just a week after the 911 WTC attack in NYC. The feelings you get while listening to this live recording is unreal as image of the attack flash back at you. I have played this recording over and over ever since it came out.

The music is wonderful recorded; with the support of the HDCD the sound dynamic is great. The revise version shows the possible ending that Mozart was heading during his writing of this master piece, Levin have used the material from Mozart's masses as a reference during his rescoring. With the help of authentic musical instruments, I believe this is the only recording that can compete with the long famous recording done by Christopher Hogwood.

I didn't know what I was missing. The orchestral playing and the soloists are so clear in this recording that I can't go back to any of my old recordings. For example, listening back to my old Vienna/Solti recording (which used to be my preferred recording) some of the melodic lines are muddled in favor of a larger, fuller and more Romantic sound. The textures are thinner here (due both to playing and some re-orchestration by Levin), and it works to outstanding effect. One can really hear the MOZART in the Introitus and Sequenz.

As for Levin's reworking of Süssmayr's awkward parts I have to say the Lacrimosa is much more satisfying, and what follows is more logical and coherent. I'd say this is the best we are going to get without having Mozart himself finish it.

I was in attendance at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall for this concert in 2001. We in the audience were all particularly impressed with the choir, and their excellence is really captured on this recording. They sing with the intensity that the music requires while showing enough restraint to blend perfectly as one unit. The tempo is also spot on (some other recordings really drag in Confutatis and Lacrimosa, for example).

Much has been written about Levin's completion and correction of Sussmayer's original edition. According to the CD's detailed program notes, Levin did not simply delete everything not thought to be written by Mozart. Instead, he used Sussmayer as a reference, while correcting voice-leading errors and adding a Mozartian sort of flare to the later movements. Many would consider it inappropriate to tinker with what is already one of the greatest works ever, and anyone accusing Levin of being pretentious might indeed be right. But to quote Duke Ellington "if it sounds good, it is good" and on this recording it sounds REALLY GOOD! Sanctus and Agnus Dei in particular really benefit from some of the modifications, and the Requiem as a whole sounds more cohesive than it did before. That is no small compliment.

Special attention should be paid to the "Amen fugue," a lost fragment discovered in 1962, which was supposedly meant to be a part of the original work. After some retouching by Levin, it is featured on this disc as Track 9, replacing the simple two-chord plagal amen of the Sussmayer version. The new fugue is really quite exciting and well put together, but the simple amen of the original edition generated a great emotional weight as well. Both interpretations are essential.

All the more reason to own multiple recordings, but just make sure that this is one of them!

This Levin revision of the Mozart's Requiem score introduces a truly authentic interpretation of Mozart's unfinished ornamental piece. One could feel the continuity and consistency between the parts that we know were composed by Mozart and those that were completed after his death by others. Levin's revisions make indeed the piece more consistent and more enjoyable. I strongly recommend this album even if one already has the more traditional version of it. ... and yes as others have said before me ... this is indeed the 911 Requiem ...

This is the first CD I've bought in years because the recording is not available on iTunes. I received the first CD and the case was completely obliterated - front and back, inside and out, shattered. Just received the replacement CD, which is also smashed and the CD is scratched.

Sadly, I have to give up at this point. Great return policy but two very disappointing purchases from Amazon.

I needed this Cd to practice for a future concert. It came in a timely fashion and is very helpful. I listen and sing along while driving.