Tír Na HiFi

that one's gone in the shopping basket....

have become a big fan of Harmonia Mundi

I spent a very happy afternoon in their shop in Grenoble a while back....

God the French make us look like peasants.... Is there a decent classical section let alone a dedicated record shop in Dublin?

Maybe we should have a pop-up classical record shop!!

jaybee wrote:that one's gone in the shopping basket....

have become a big fan of Harmonia Mundi

I have no doubt that you will enjoy it JB!

This is the “Madeline” version, original version or smaller forces version and it is a performance of the way that Fauré originally envisaged for the work. Once again with Herreweghe I think that we have a beautiful, impeccable performance. It is played and sung beautifully. This time there are only 23 musicians performing but such is the difference between this and the later performance that it sounds like considerably more, even more than the later “Concert” version. This interpretation is also very reverential but it has a more assertive or dramatic sense to it. It has a very different feel to it than the later version; it feels darker, more earnest in a different way than the later version and this is purely down to the difference in the instrumental colouring in the different versions. The smaller forces lend a more forlorn or solemn aspect to the music or perhaps it is that the smaller forces just stand out more in isolation.

Both versions are exquisitely performed and sung but I actually prefer this version of the work. I think that the smaller forces version really get to the essence of the work.

DaveF: Do give us a good report on that one Fergus as I have it in my amazon basket at the moment. In particular let me know what the balance is like between the choir and the orchestra. For this Requiem I prefer it when the orchestra just whispers above the choir on occasion but never being too dominant.

Dave: In relation to your quote above you have given a specific request in relation to your favoured performance practice for this work. In all honesty I could not recommend this 1893 version as it certainly does not fulfil your criteria for the balance between the orchestra and the choir; the orchestra certainly does not whisper. I say this even tough if asked, this version would now probably get my personal highest recommendation. Although the orchestra never dominates in either version it is more apparent in the Madeline version. The “Concert” version is therefore probably more suited to your preferred interpretation if you want a Herreweghe interpretation but either one is a terrific buy!