Das Dvořák-Requiem

The second part of the Dvořák Festival is dedicated to a single work: the Requiem. A powerful, expansive choral work, and the performance under chief conductor Michael Sanderling gains eminently from the participation of the internationally admired Prague Philharmonic Choir. It could hardly be more authentic. For all Dvořák's deep piety, however, this is neither a liturgical work nor was it written for a current occasion of mourning. It is, if you like, a Roman Catholic oratorio, but even more so a Czech oratorio - universal in its inner radiance and symphonic in its musical nature, i.e. intended for concert performance. Nevertheless, mourning and confession of guilt, prayers for redemption on Judgement Day and consolation can also be heard here, and with truly impressive depth of expression. A "lamenting" leitmotif - a short, five-note motif heard right at the beginning - runs through the entire work. Antonín Dvořák conducted the premiere in Birmingham on October 9, 1891. The audience reacted with both enthusiasm and emotion.

A requiem for the concert hall? Yes, because despite Dvořák's piety, his Requiem is not a liturgical work, but a Czech oratorio - intended for concert performance.

Lucerne Symphony Orchestra

Choir: Prague Philharmonic Choir
Chief conductor: Michael Sanderling
Soprano: Simona Šaturová
Mezzo-soprano: Štěpánka Pučálková
Tenor: Benjamin Bruns
Bass: Jan Martiník

Composers & works
Antonín Dvořák (1841 - 1904)
Requiem op. 89

Please note: The program and the artists performing are subject to change. The current program can be found on the website.


Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.