War Requiem

Shenandoah Conservatory Choir (Performer), Robert Shafer (Composer), Benjamin Britten (Conductor), The Washington Chorus and Orchestra (Orchestra, Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Shenandoah Conservatory Choir, The Washington Chorus and Orchestra
• Orchestra: The Washington Chorus and Orchestra
• Conductor: Benjamin Britten
• Composer: Robert Shafer
• Audio CD (April 19, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00000J6KS
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #553,710 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Requiem aeternam

2. Dies irae

3. Offertorium

4. Sanctus

5. Agnus Dei

6. Libera me

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A lot of people were surprised when this recording of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem--featuring the all-amateur Washington Chorus, the Shenandoah Conservatory Chorus, and the Maryland Boy Choir under the direction of Robert Shafer--won the Grammy for Best Choral Performance of 1999. They shouldn't have been. From first note to last, it is a compelling realization of one of the greatest, most beautiful, and most challenging scores of modern times, a performance that does credit to all involved. Robert Shafer and his cohorts give a disciplined yet impassioned reading of the piece, one that is notable not only for the fine choral singing--blend, balance, and intonation are all exemplary--and the outstanding work of the vocal soloists, but for its felicitous detailing of the instrumental parts as well. Recorded live at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on April 14, 1995 (as part of the U.S. Department of Defense's 50th-anniversary commemoration of the end of World War II), the performance comes across with a virtually ideal combination of scope and intimacy, energy, momentum, and cumulative effect.

The orchestra, though it goes uncredited on the discs, is in fact the National Symphony Orchestra with some additional ringers, and it gives an absolutely splendid account of itself. No strangers to this music, the band delivers big time for Shafer, meeting the extraordinary demands of Britten's score with consummate ease. The soloists also rise to the occasion with great distinction, especially soprano Christine Goerke, hands down the finest interpreter of this part since Galina Vishnevskaya.

The recording, made by a team of engineers from NPR, is atmospheric and well balanced, with excellent imaging and minimal audience noise. In a very competitive field that includes the composer's own account, this rendition of the War Requiem rightly takes a place in the front rank, deserving of the honor it has received. --Ted Libbey

Product Description

2000 Grammy Award Winner - Benjamin Britten "War Requiem" - The Washington Chorus with Robert Shafer, Conductor

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary achievement for an independent chorus, February 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: War Requiem (Audio CD)

I can't believe how extraordinary this performance is. To think that Conductor Robert Shafer is creating this level of artistry and musical expression with all-vonluteer choruses (The Washington Chorus, The Shenandoah Conservatory Chorus, and the Maryland Boys' Choir)is so heartening. The War Requiem is a mammoth piece--both physically and emotionally--with two separate orchestras, three choirs, and three soloists. It is a profoundly moving testament to the horrors and iniquities of war and to the millions of soldiers who died in World War I and II trying to make sense of it all. With the ethereal tenderness of the boy choir, the purity of tone in the women's sections, and the power and weight of the men's voices, Shafer is able to draw upon the full range of vocal expression--from sheer terror to welcome tranquillity. I loved all the soloists, especially Christine Goerke, soprano. The War Requiem is a masterpiece of choral writing and Britten would be very pleased, I think, to know that his work is performed here with the virtuosity and depth of feeling it so deserves. Anybody know of other recordings by this group?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars worthy of a Grammy, January 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: War Requiem (Audio CD)

I ordered this CD because I found out that it had been nominated for the 2000 Grammy Awards in the Best Choral Performance category - if I could vote, this CD would definitely be the winner. You would never believe that this is a live recording - the soloists (especially the soprano)and orchestra are spectacular and the chorus is phenomenal. I own a copy of Shaw's recording that is technically brilliant and I think that this recording not only matches that technicality but also has far more feeling and emotion. This is a wonderful recording and I highly recommend it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recent Grammy Winner Earns Award !, February 26, 2000

By 

William (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War Requiem (Audio CD)

This recent Grammy Award Winning CD of Britten's "War Requiem", under the baton of Maestro Robert Shafer, uses the combined efforts of The Washington Chorus, The Shenandoah Conservatory Choir, and The Maryland Boys' Choir to bring us a truly full-bodied rendition of a most powerful and moving Requiem, not nearly heard or recorded enough.

This under ninety-minute piece gives us the full depth and sweeping emotions of the highly sullen and foreboding sound clearly intended by the composer.

From the opening quiet chanting by the choir of "Requiem aeternam", underscored by the ominous peal of bells, the Mass begins with the unsettling melodic mood, complete with diabolic connotations of medieval times. The Chorus, boys' choir and tenor, Richard Clement are blended well.

Continuing the second and longest movement, the "Dies Irae", widens the horrors of war, blending baritone, Richard Stilwell, soprano, Christine Goerke, tenor Clement and the choir and chorus, in a wide sweep from ominous early stillness to portentous brass fanfares, foreshadowing the Day of Judgement, only to be concluded by the peaceful textures of the "Pie Jesu".

Movement three, "Offertorium", sung only by the boys' choir and the organ at the opening, ecompasses a dramatic aura, if much shorter (10 minutes), bringing us again, the threatening harken of the tragedy to come, as highlighted by the male soloists heard in an unsettling soft and then hard rumblings of the future.

The final three movements, "Sanctus", "Agnus Dei", and "Libera me" bring us fuller layers of texture to the work.

"Sanctus", Movement 4, starts with a brilliant soprano statement, fully articulated by Christine Goerke, followed by the chorus, reminding the faithful that God's covenant with them shall be fulfilled. It then chillingly goes to a "blast of lightening from the East", as sung desparingly by the full rich baritones of Stilwell, concluding the movement.

Movement 5, "Agnus Dei", blends tenor with soft and hope-filled sounds of the chorus, before the moving final solo prayer, "Dona nobis pacem".

In "Libera Me", the 6th and final movement, starting as a slow march, it gradually progresses. The performance forces are united for the first time in the final transcendant glory of "May the angels lead you into paradise" ( "In Paradisum deducant te Angeli" ), as the work moves tranquilly to the final "May they rest in final peace" ( "Requiescent in pace. Amen" )

Full credit for this master re-creation goes to all, but, particularly, to Washington Chorus Conductor, Robert Shafer, who put this inspiring award-winning work together with his own orchestra and chorus, in conjunction with The Shenandoah and Maryland Boys' Choirs, and the three marvelously well-blended soloists aforementioned.

I have truly enjoyed repeated listens to this welcome re-release (from April 14, 1995), which was lovingly brought to us and dedicated specifically to the memory of John R. Ross, a fallen Air Force combat veteran and beloved former Washingon Chorus member; and to all those who have or will have to face the horrors of war. Bill Ritchie