Britten Thematic Catalogue

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BTC874 SINFONIA DA REQUIEM

For orchestra, op. 20
Period of composition: Oct 1939 - Jun 1940
Revised: by 7 Oct 1940
First performance: 29 Mar 1941 >>
Type of performance: Concert performance
Location: Carnegie Hall, New York
Performance details:

NYPO, John Barbirolli cond

Genre: Orchestral
Performing forces:

3 fl (III=picc and bass fl), 2 ob, ca, 2 cl in B flat, bass cl (=cl in E flat), alto sax ad lib.), 2 bn, dbn - 6 hn (V, VI ad lib.), 3 tpt in C, 3 trbn, tuba - timp, 4 perc (bd, cymb, sd, tamb, whip, xyl) - 2 harps (II ad lib), pf - str

Duration: 20'
Commissioned:

Commissioned to celebrate the 2,600 anniversary of the founding of the Japanese empire, but was not performed in Japan at the celebrations, ostensibly because of its Christian content.

Dedication: 'In memory of my parents'

Movements

  • 1 Lacrymosa: Andante ben misurato
  • 2 Dies irae: Allegro con fuoco
  • 3 Requiem aeternam: Andante molto tranquillo

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