Requiem for Orchestra (opus 42), composed between 1983 and 1985, is in four movements: Requiem aeternam and Kyrie eleison, Dies irae, Agnus Dei and Libera me.

The opening bars of Requiem aeternam, subtitled Gestures, symbolize violent unexpected death. The 12-note idea on second violins is the source from which much of the material is developed, the melodic lines being derived from matching the Latin words of the requiem mass to the note row and its variants, the orchestral instruments taking the place of soloists and choir. In addition to the 12-note row, medieval modal material is woven into the first and third movements.

Throughout the work a solo cello fulfils the role of a priest intoning while also acting as a formal unifying factor. It is joined in the third movement by a solo oboe, which sings the Agnus Dei. This is the heart of the requiem. However, the calm to be found here (in a movement scored for high strings and wind) has only been arrived at after the dark, contrapuntal Requiem aeternam (scored for strings, the Kyrie eleison for trumpets), and the sometimes violent and sardonic second movement Dies irae scored for full orchestra. The final movement Libera me is likewise scored for full orchestra. 

It was the Requiem that attracted the attention of Simon Rattle, Oliver Knussen, Péter Eötvös and eventually the BBC. It was given its UK premiere by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Downes in December 1988.

The piece was originally called ‘Requiem of 1984’; however, others changed its name to ‘Requiem for 1984’.

‘Not only is it extremely professionally and intelligently written, but also deeply felt. I was very struck by the piece.’ (Simon Rattle, September 1986).

Duration 24 minutes