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TechnoTV - Faure Requiem Op.48 / Durufle Requiem Op.9
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List Price: $17.98
Our Price: $11.99
Your Save: $ 5.99 ( 33% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Telarc
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Average Customer Rating: 
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0089408013522
Label: Telarc
Manufacturer: Telarc
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Telarc
Release Date: 1990-10-25
Studio: Telarc
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Ethereal
Comment: I bought this recording for the Faure not knowing much more about Durufle than his "Four Motets on Gregorian Themes". What a shock! Never have I heard a more original piece of music than his "Requiem" which is ironic because he bases most of the themes on gregorian chants. The listener can easily tell that Shaw knew exactly what he wanted from his chorus and the orchestra because they follow every little nuance perfectly! The chemistry between musicians and conductor is so apparent, and the french textures and harmonies really wrap the listener in a warm blanket of music. I have heard this recording, another recording of the version with just organ and choir, and I plan to buy the Voices of Ascension version for chamber orchestra. Now, as to Shaw's non-use of soloists: I did some research recently which turned up a letter that Durufle wrote to Decca records requesting that subsequent recordings of his Requiem be done with basses and second tenors rather than a male baritone soloist. That does not excuse what Shaw did by using women chorus for the female solo, but I do not mind it. It makes the piece a little different, but it does not ruin the recording in any respect.
As to the Faure, I think that the choir and orchestra sound great, well balanced, and wonderful. However I do get the impression that Shaw did not interpret this as much as he could have, and it does come off as more of a 'reading'. However, it's still great stuff and I'm honored that this CD holds a place in my choral collection. It is a MUST HAVE for any choral fan, whether you already own versions of these or not.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Faure Requiem
Comment: A very professional performance.I used it to prepare for the performance of this number by our oratorial society. I wish we could do as well.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: The Faure is Great, Not so Much the Durufle
Comment: The Faure Requiem (Op. 48) in D minor is a soft, gentle requiem unlike the powerful Verdi, Berlioz, and Durufle. The delicate qualities of this requiem are captured beautifully on this recording.
The Durufle Requiem (Op. 9) is one of my most favorite compositions of all time and it is not performed well on this disc for one reason: the solos are sung by the choir and that is not what I want to hear when I want to hear Durufle's requiem. Piquemal's version is still my favorite and I recommend that over this one.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fast and in a very good condition
Comment: Fast and in a very good condition
Customer Rating:
Summary: French Choral Classics
Comment: This disk has set the standard for performing the settings of the Requiem mass by two great French masters, Gabriel Faure and Maurice Durufle. The Faure setting is an intimate one with occasional moments of tempestuousness. This particular recording features the more heavily orchestrated edition (for an excellent chamber version see the Cambridge Singers under John Rutter). Put in seven parts, additional features include two baritone solos and a lovely soprano solo. The choral parts are not difficult, but require a delicate touch with great articulation, all provided here. The harmonies gently shift with occasional color changes and chromatic mediant relationships. The concluding movement (In Paradisum) sums up the experience with a satisfying contemplative moment devoid of bombasticity. A masterwork not to be missed.
The Durufle Requiem is a horse of a different color. The rhythms and harmonies are not so classically straight-forward like the Faure; far from it. Not only do the rhythms constantly shift, the melodies aren't classically structured, but instead, quote and are reminiscent of chant, making the rhythmic changes seem natural. The harmonic setting is heavily steeped in church modes, but Durufle's lush orchestrations make this anything but old-fashioned. Much more thickly textured, Durufle doesn't fear to leap into occasional revelry and joyousness; Durufle has a knack for timing his climaxes just right, more moments of exuberance than Faure exhibited. This edition is the fully orchestrated version, and while there is a nice organ accompaniment edition, I much prefer the grandeur of the orchestra. Robert Shaw chooses not to have soloists, but instead have the choir parts sing the solos. This version is still highly exciting and lacks nowhere (unless you want soloists). You might want to choose to have an all Durufle choral CD (Michael Plasson in EMI classics is a good choice), but this pairing of two classics is an equally fine program.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus have not put out such a successful CD as in this 1987 digital Telarc classic. The sound is full and virile, the heightened sense of drama is apparent and can't be beat by any other recording, certainly not by another American choir. Nearly two decades after its release, this still remains the standard.
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Editorial Reviews:
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The chorus is at center of Shaw's reading of the score, presumably the more lightly scored 1893 version that Fauré‚ himself created (Telarc does not specify). The account flows very well, and the work of both soloists is highly satisfying, particularly Judith Blegen's airy soprano in Pie Jesu. The recording dates from 1985-86 and is one of Telarc's best, with excellent presence overall and real bass in the organ. --Ted Libbey
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