This work was written in 1971. The text is derived from the Latin Requiem Mass treated as a kind of sacred poem rather than a liturgical text and the order of sections is much altered. The work derives principally from the opening piano harmonies and the soprano's initial melodic lines - the latter which have an affinity (not least in rhythmic accentuation) with certain aspects of plainchant combine with the piano chords and embellishments to produce a serial reservoir of material is used fairly strictly even in seemingly freer sections. The form is arch-like the opening material returning substantially altered at the end with as the work's centre a scherzo-likeSanctus introduced and punctuated by chords derived in lay-out from bell sounds. The work was written in memory of Alan Rawsthorne and Sir John Barbirolli and was first performed at the Wigmore Hall in 1979 by Jane Manning and Richard Rodney Bennett.

Description The Oratorio Anthology - Soprano Newly edited and engraved arias, compiled by Richard Walters. Songlist Auf Starkem Fittige (The Creation) [Haydn, Franz Joseph] Bid The Virtues, Bid The Graces (Come Ye Sons Of Art) [Purcell, Henry] Blute Nur, Du Liebes Herz (St Matthew Passion) [Bach, Johann Sebastian] Cujus Animam Gementem (Stabat Mater) [Pergolesi, Giovanni} Domine Deus (Gloria) [Vivaldi, Antonio] Hear Ye, Israel (Elijah) [Mendelssohn, Felix] I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Messiah) [Handel, George Frideric] Ich Folge Dir Gleichfalls (St John Passion) [Bach, Johann Sebastian] Ich Will Dir Mein Herze Schenken (St Matthew Passion) [Bach, Johann Sebastian] If God Be For Us (Messiah) [Handel, George Frideric] Inflammatus Et Accensus (Stabat Mater) [Rossini, Gioacchino] Laudamus Te (Mass In C Minor) [Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus] Laudate Dominum (Vesperae Solennes De Confessore K.339) [Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus] Let The Bright Serahphim (Samson) [Handel, George Frideric] Mein Glaubiges Herze (Cantata No.68) [Bach, Johann Sebastian] Nun Beut Die Flur (The Creation) [Haydn, Franz Joseph] Nur Ein Wink Von Seinem Handen (Christmas Oratorio) [Bach, Johann Sebastian] O Liberty, Thou Choicest Treasure (Judas Maccabaeus) [Handel, George Frideric] Oh! Had I Jubal's Lyre (Joshua) [Handel, George Frideric] Pie Jesu (Requiem) [Faure, Gabriel] Preist Der Erlosers Gute (Christ On The Mount Of Olives) [Beethoven, Ludwig Van] Quia Respexit (Magnificat) [Bach, Johann Sebastian] Quis Non Posset (Stabat Mater) [Haydn, Franz Joseph] Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion! (Messiah) [Handel, George Frideric] Seufzer, Thranen, Kummer, Noth (Cantata No.21) [Bach, Johann Sebastian] Tune The Soft Melodious Lute (Jeptha) [Handel, George Frideric] Vidit Suum Dulcem Natum (Stabat Mater) [Pergolesi, Giovanni] Welche Labung Fur Die Sinne (The Seasons) [Haydn, Franz Joseph] Zerfleisse, Mein Herze (St John Passion) [Bach, Johann Sebastian]