Sinfonia da Requiem
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Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20 for orchestra is a symphony in D major written by Benjamin Britten in 1940 at the age of 26. It was commissioned by Japanese Government in the same year to commemorate the 2,600th anniversary of the Mikado's dynasty. Due to religious reasons and considered as an insult to the emperor, the piece was rejected. The premiere eventually took place in New York in March 31, 1941 with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under John Barbirolli.
The symphony consists of three movements:
- Lacrymosa (Andante ben misurato)
- Dies Irae (Allegro con fuoco)
- Requiem Aeternam (Andante molto tranquillo)
The headings of the three movements are all taken from the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead but without any direct liturgical associations. Britten described the three movements respectively as "a slow, marching lament", "a form of Dance of Death" and "the final resolution".
The score is written for 3 flutes and piccolo (with alto flute ad lib.), 2 oboes, cor anglais, 3 clarinets, alto saxophone (ad lib.), 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 6 horns (2 of these ad lib.), 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, side drum, cymbals, tambourine, whip, xylophone, 2 harps (second ad lib.), piano, and strings.
Normal duration of the whole symphony is around 20 minutes.
