Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45, occupies a special place in the oeuvre of Johannes Brahms (1833–1897). The work was composed between 1857 and 1868. It is written for a full symphony orchestra, a mixed choir and soloists – a soprano and a baritone.
In choosing the title, the composer alluded to the Catholic funeral mass, the Requiem; however, in formal terms, the work has little in common with it. The text is based on selected passages from the Holy Scriptures (in Martin Luther’s German translation). The work was first performed in its six-part form on Good Friday 1868 in Bremen. Later, at the urging of Eduard Marxsen, Brahms added a further (seventh) movement – featuring a soprano solo part – which now forms the fifth section of the work. In this form, the German Requiem was performed for the first time on 18 February 1869 in Leipzig. Immediately after the premiere, the work was hailed as a national masterpiece, and numerous performances across Europe brought the composer international fame. Within the framework of traditional musical language, through his choice of texts and extraordinary compositional expression, Johannes Brahms created a work of immense emotional power, representing ‘the sum of the most beautiful, most humanistic elements of German art’.
Sections of the piece:
I Selig sind, die da Leid tragen / Blessed are those who mourn (Gospel according to St Matthew 5:4, Book of Psalms 126:5–6)
II Denn alles Fleisch, es ist wie Gras / For all flesh is like grass (1 Peter 1:24; James 5:7; 1 Peter 1:25; Isaiah 35:10)
III Herr, lehre doch mich / O Lord, teach me (Psalm 39:5–8; Wisdom 3:1)
IV Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen / How lovely are your dwellings, O Lord (Psalm 84:2, 3, 5)
V Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit / Now you are sorrowful (Gospel of John 16:22; Book of Sirach 51:27; Book of Isaiah 66:13)
VI Denn wir haben hie keine bleibende Statt / For here we have no lasting city (Epistle to the Hebrews 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:51–55, 54–55; Revelation 4:11)
VII Selig sind die Toten / Blessed are those who die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13)
