| 1. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: I. Introitus: Requiem | | 2. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: II. Kyrie | | 3. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: III. Sequentia: Dies Irae | | 4. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: III. Sequentia: Tuba Mirum | | 5. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: III. Sequentia: Rex Tremendae | | 6. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: III. Sequentia: Recordare, Jesu pie | | 7. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: III. Sequentia: Confutatis Maledictis | | 8. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: III. Sequentia: Lacrimosa | | 9. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: IV. Offertorium: Domine Jesu | | 10. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: IV. Offertorium: Domine Hostias | | 11. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: V. Sanctus | | 12. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: VI. Benedictus | | 13. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: VII. Agnus Dei | | 14. | Requiem, KV 626 In D Minor: VIII. Communio : Lux Aeterna | |
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150 of 156 found the following review helpful:
 One of the Finest Requiems AvailableOct 31, 2002
By R. Gerard
This is undoubtedly the finest recording of Mozart's Requiem I've heard. Having owned several recordings of the Requiem Mass, each having its own distinct style (Karajan, Hogwood, Pearlman, Spering, Christie, Solti) this release by Sir Neville Marriner is the recording one finds him or herself coming back to often.
It's a wonderfully dramatic recording. This comes from the same conductor who recorded the soundtrack to Amadeus, of course. It is also a dark sounding record, while most the period-instrument recordings available of KV. 626 are rather light, airy, and superficial for a death mass. While this may be a powerful modern-instrument rendition, it is not a romanticized as Karajan's, which is a good thing.
The soloists are first rate. McNair's voice is perfect in intoning the "Te Decet" with her explicit calmness, yet tacit darkness and tension that you cannot get from Monica Groop, Ruth Ziesak, or Emma Kirkby.
The conducting is careful and the tempi are perfect. You never need to worry about Marriner going to slow as other modern-instrument conductors do. I have never heard a "Recordare" more radiantly executed, or a "Kyrie" with such driving force, or even a technically challenging movement such as the "Domine Jesu" handled with such precision.
The choir is also the strongest choir I've heard sing Mozart's Requiem. This chorus can invoke fear, while other choirs sound either too large or too amateurish for such a piece.
Regarding sound quality, I have never had a problem with the sound as it sounds just as good as any other record in my collection. Maybe it is the resonance of the record, but it does definitely give the record the a large "ecclesiastical" atmosphere, quite appropriate for the music. This recording does NOT seem to have any sound or noise deficiencies one or two other reviewers point out.
25 of 25 found the following review helpful:
Excellent Recording in the Marriner StyleJan 30, 2003
By Russ W. Knize
I own 4 recordings of Mozart's Requiem, and this one is one of my favorites. Marriner's version is brighter and quicker than the others I have, giving it more energy. It does have a darker feel in places, as it should being a requiem. For a truely dark rendition, I would have to recommend Karajan.The sound quality of the recording is excellent (DDD). I found myself wishing for more from the tenors in a few places, but that is simply a matter of taste.
26 of 27 found the following review helpful:
An Absolutely Magnificent RenditionJul 07, 2003
By A Classical Music Fan
This is by far the best recording of the Requiem available. Marriner's tempi are perfect: slow enough for expression, but fast enough to hold interest. Unlike most other recordings, it doesn't drag...but it's also not so fast that everything whooshes by. The orchestra and choir are perfectly balanced...neither one is overpowering. Usually the choir sounds like a bunch of separate groups of singers all recorded separately. In this recording each voice in the choir is heard equally, and therefore sounds like a unit. The soloists are first-class, and their voices blend magnificently. McNair...an angel; she has the most beautiful soprano voice I have ever heard. This cd is almost worth buying just for her breathtaking solo in Tuba Mirum. If you have only one recording of the Requiem, this should be it. It's worth every cent.
55 of 69 found the following review helpful:
Jumpin Jehosaphat!Jan 09, 2002
By A Reviewer
I'll be darned if this isn't one of the finest CDs I've ever heard. I must be honest - I am a big Mozart fan and had never heard of Sir Neville Mariner. I know, I know, 'How can you call yourself a Mozart fan if you've never heard of Sir Neville Mariner?' Well in retrospect, I suppose I wasn't a *true* Mozart fan until I stumbled across this CD. Anywho, on with the review. The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-fields Choir is astounding. And with the good Sir Mariner at the head, they can do no wrong. Their performance is impeccable from the slow dark tones of Tuba Mirum to the powerful Rex Tremendae, and everywhere in between. This is not one of those "good for any kind of mood" pieces of music. If you're willing to sit down and listen to the musicality of it all, it will lift your spirits like nothing else. If however, you listen "superficially," odds are it will either depress the heck out of you or perpetuate your current ill state of mind. Don't get me wrong! This is some of the best music in the world! But you must bear in mind that it is a Requiem mass - a mass for dead people. It's fantastic music, but not "happy" music. All in all, this is just about as good as it gets. If you like classical music, and don't already have this recording of this piece, don't leave your seat until you order it. For everyone else, that goes for you, too. I mean that! I want you to have this CD!
15 of 17 found the following review helpful:
The Best Version of the Mozart Requiem. Period.Dec 11, 2003
By Joel
When I looked for a version of the Mozart Requiem, I listened to literally 30 recordings until I finally chose this one. The balance, sound, and most importantly musicianship and interpretation are superb. The soloists, and especially Sylivia McNair, are to die for. The piece is breathtaking and beautiful. Don't miss possibly the best recording of the Mozart Requiem to date.
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based on 37 reviews
