John Nelson - Berlioz: Requiem (Grande Messe des morts) (2019)

Marking the 150th anniversary of Berlioz’s death, this performance of the mighty Requiem or Grande Messe des Morts - took place in St Paul’s Cathedral, London, in March 2019. Conducted by John Nelson, it involved over 300 musicians, including tenor Michael Spyres. As Nelson said: “Every measure resonates deeply with me and I feel there is sincerity, even in the great moments of bombast.” The Times wrote: “The surpassing virtue of this performance … was that both aspects, the spine-shakingly spectacular and the heart-rendingly haunting, were allowed to make their impact.

Berlioz’s Requiem was written in 1830 for the French soldiers killed in war, and the composer treasured the work, declaring: “If I were threatened with the destruction of the whole of my works save one, I should crave mercy for the Messe des morts.”

Tracklist:
1. Philharmonia Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, John Nelson & Philharmonia Orchestra – Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: I. Requiem - Kyrie (Introït) [Live] (09:52)
2. Philharmonia Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, John Nelson & Philharmonia Orchestra – Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: II. Dies irae - Tuba mirum (Live) (12:27)
3. Philharmonia Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, John Nelson & Philharmonia Orchestra – Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: III. Quid sum miser (Live) (02:57)
4. Philharmonia Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, John Nelson & Philharmonia Orchestra – Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: IV. Rex tremendae (Live) (06:16)
5. Philharmonia Chorus & London Philharmonic Choir – Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: V. Quaerens me (Live) (04:41)
6. Philharmonia Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, John Nelson & Philharmonia Orchestra – Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: VI. Lacrymosa (Live) (10:18)
7. Philharmonia Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, John Nelson & Philharmonia Orchestra – Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: VII. Offertoire - Domine (Live) (08:32)
8. Philharmonia Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, John Nelson & Philharmonia Orchestra – Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: VIII. Offertoire - Hostias (Live) (03:19)
9. Philharmonia Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, John Nelson, Philharmonia Orchestra & Michael Spyres – Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: IX. Sanctus (Live) (11:31)
10. Philharmonia Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, John Nelson & Philharmonia Orchestra – Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: X. Agnus Dei (Live) (11:36)