h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Benjamin Britten's War Requiem - A727850
Author: Belshazzar, Keeper of The Writing On The Wall and All Graffiti - U188050

Eternal truths conveyed by a 20th Century musical masterpiece - and it's British too!

Another great entry, Belshazzar!

This is really well written and well organised, very comprehensive, and gives a great insight into the work.

The only additions I can think of are links to a few of the other composers mentioned:
A615025 Verdi
A481510 Fauré
A395129 Mozart
A481015 Purcell
A412444 Handel
A584859 Beethoven

Azara

I was leaving such links for the sub to dig out, but since you have so thoughtfully provided them, I'll put them in!

I really must check out these excellent entries some time.

Wasn't Faure's dad an Eng Lit expert and a Shakespeare scholar and translator?

I didn't know that about Fauré's father - I knew he was a professor of some sort, that's all.

I'm trying to keep track of various music links for a possible update of various opera entries - that's how I had them handy. The Verdi one was mine - I'd be interested in your opinion!

Azara

One of the others is yours as well - forgotten which one. I've been on a link-hunt and come up with a few more. This entry seems to be very linkable. But I suppose you can overdo it - or can you?

I've put Gossec back into my canon of requiemists. He was originally in, but I took him out for some reason, which is a shame because the Tuba Mirum in his is written for two orchestras, a string orch in the church and a wind band outside, and was popular for quite a long while, though you hardly ever hear it anymore. Anyway, he's back in because he's mentioned in the linked entry.

I'm really sorry I haven't studied your Verdi entry yet - I'm off there now for a quick look.

Hi

IMO this is an excellent entry.

I love when people write entries on specific pieces, because I think it would be really nice if when The Guide has grown a bit more one could look at a programme for a concert, and read an entry on the pieces involved, and decide if it's your type of thing and if you want to go. So well done!

Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to go and hear the War Requiem I studied Wilfred Owens' poetry at GCSE, though; its very moving. And the one you've quoted, Anthem for Doomed Youth, was one of my favourites.

J'au-æmne xxx

Thanks very much, J'au-æmne.

I've now slightly expanded the section headed 'The Requiem Mass' to include a mention of Bach, which gives me the opportunity for another link, of course.

The extended Requiem Mass section is even better than before!

Azara

I recommended this entry to go into the edited guide, and it has been accepted. Well done Belshazzar, on such a well written, and interesting entry.

for Belshazzar!

Azara

I agree, an exellent entry!
Thanks for notifying me, Bels. I'm not familiar with the War Requiem, but I've played some other of Britten's music. He was definitely a brilliant composer!

Miranda, Muse of Contemporary Music

Thanks for that, Miranda

Have you played any John Adams? see A734014

Bels