Requiem (Dover Vocal Scores) [Paperback]

Giuseppe Verdi (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Vocal Scores | Publication Date: October 1, 1978

Complete, unabridged orchestral score of immensely popular, often recorded work. One of Verdi's finest compositions — called by some his greatest opera — the "Requiem" is scored for 4 solo voices (soprano, mezzo soprano, tenor, bass), chorus, and orchestra. New translations of German frontmatter, glossary of German terms. Large, clear format. C. F. Peters edition edited by Kurt Soldan.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

There are requiems (settings of the Roman Catholic mass for the dead) in the classical repertoire by almost every important composer and suited for almost every taste: introspective, mournful, or confident of the promise of the hereafter. Verdi's Requiem is by far the most theatrical of them all, with big, dramatic arias (requiring big, dramatic voices) and choruses, heroic trumpets, and a deafening bass drum that provokes an inescapably visceral reaction in the bombastic "Dies Irae" section. It's all, well, highly operatic. That's not surprising, given Verdi's standing as the greatest Italian opera composer of the 19th century; indeed, some wags have even argued that the Requiem is one of Verdi's very best operas. It is undoubtedly unsuitable for use in a normal funeral service, but this is wonderful, thrilling music, with fine moments for the chorus and soloists. It's demanding music, too, with several prolonged a capella sections that add an element of suspense to any performance: will the singers stay on pitch until the orchestra comes back in?

With this Dover score you can see how Verdi put it all together and got those particular effects. Like virtually all Dover editions, this one is a reprint of another publisher's out-of-copyright work; don't look for the latest in critical scholarship here. Because it is a full score, it is far more suitable for use by the armchair conductor than by singers seeking to work on the music, and few pianists will be able to read all the instrumental lines to play an accompaniment. But as a valuable educational tool, you can't beat the price or the package.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (October 1, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048623682X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486236827
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Verdi
  • #13 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Requiems & Oratorios
  • #44 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Religious & Church Music

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Wehrman's Review of the Dover Verdi Requiem Score, June 13, 2001

By 

Dr. Robert Wehrman (Honolulu, HI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Requiem (Dover Vocal Scores) (Paperback)

All in all it is a very good, easy to read score. It could be excellent if: 1. The publisher included the rehearsal numbers that are found in the parts.

2. The few errors were repaired. These errors are as follows: In number 1, measure 71, vocal parts should be double dotted. Vocal parts in mm 73 and 74 should be dotted. This error reoccures in other similar passages. In number 4 m135 there should be a fermata.

Otherwise this is a great score.

The editorial comments made by Kurt Soldan are helpful. They are found in German and English. These, I understand, are from the original Peters score.

Dr. RW

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Verdi's greatest work, May 3, 2003

By 

Daniel Graser "saxgod685" (Wappingers Falls, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Requiem (Dover Vocal Scores) (Paperback)

This score of Verdi's greatest work is basically the full score and nothing else. The score begins with the instrumentation, a translation of the German terms, and then the music. The notes are easily visible and the score is arranged perfectly. If you're looking for some serious in depth commentary and analysis of the Requiem you might want to turn elsewhere. But for theory students, interested musicians, or just casual listeners who want to see how Verdi did it, this is the copy for you. An excellent buy especially at this incredible price.

5.0 out of 5 stars Geat item, July 24, 2009

By 

LD400RN (Sebaastopol, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Requiem (Dover Vocal Scores) (Paperback)

Dover has done it again with this excellent addition to their published scores. The Verdi Requiem is one of the greatest choral works ever written and all the details and nuances of the piece can be clearly followed here. The printing is clear and easy-to-read and the book is tightly bound. A must for collectors of scores, musicians, and lovers of the Requiem.