I was sitting in the second balcony at the Musical Arts Center at Indiana University, engrossed in a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Messa da Requiem,” when I heard a hushed commotion over my shoulder. I looked back to see that an usher was quietly yet firmly directing my best friend and his girlfriend out of the aisle and back into their seats.
I learned later that my friends had moved into the aisle because they were so…um, moved…by the music that they wanted to find more space to become…uh, intimate.
Verdi’s “Requiem” has a way of arousing serious passions in musicians and audiences alike.
In all the classical repertoire, there exists no music that is more fiercely romantic and red-blooded than this. Epic in length, depth, and sheer dynamic range; and employing an army of musicians that, by design, literally spill off the stage, the “Requiem” is a huge piece of music even by the standards of Verdi, a composer known for writing everything in bold-face.
Like any great music, the “Requiem” is easy to enjoy on first listen; yet it also has a way of growing on you, the more you get to know it. So this week, I’ll be picking excerpts from the music to share, along with background about the music that’ll hopefully pique your interest and broaden your understanding of this great work.
This effort all leads up to next weekend, when the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale will perform the “Requiem” in performances on Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15. If you’re interested in seeing and hearing this music live – which is always the best way to experience classical music – you’d do well to call the Symphony office at 721-3194 or visit their Web site.
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To start things out, I thought I’d cut straight to the chase. This is a segment from the second section of the “Requiem,” known as the “Dies Irae” — which translates from Latin as “Day of Wrath.” It’s not hard to hear wrath in this music. And hopefully you’ll get an inkling why this music simply must be experienced live for its full effect.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Editor B // Mar 9, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Ha! I still don’t remember that roll in the aisle. But the Dies Irae rocks.
2 Editor B // Mar 12, 2009 at 11:19 am
FWIW Xy doesn’t remember it either. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. It fit our M.O. in those days.
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