Mikis Theodorakis - Requiem

Originally posted in November 2015.

Requiems are masses sung in memory of loved ones who have passed away, eg. sung in a burial ceremony. This album is dramatic, haunting, brilliantly recorded... Theodorakis's use of boys choir against a backdrop of really deep voices is simply stunning. He calls it giving the requiem 'life in the midst of death'.A sombre and sad subject, but this requiem is anything but - it actually manages to be rather uplifting and courageous.

Mikis Theodorakis wrote about his requiem:

"After »Kassiani« (Liturgical Hymn – 1942) and »Holy Mass« (1982), I composed last year the »Requiem« (1984).

The musical language that I used for this work is completely different from the one used for the two previous ones. I believed that the introduction of the female voice – as a soloist – and the sound of the children’s choir were necessary.

The contrast of the young voices, as an aggressive presence of life towards death helps us to pass over the vise of an inevitable phenomenon.

The text belongs to John of Damascus (Ἰωάννης ὁ Δαμασκηνός). It is one of the most important intellectual, philosophical and poetic achievements and helps us to find the real dimensions in the world order of the things.

It invites us to delve into ourselves in order to find »the light that burns« and the real and deep meaning of the human being.

I dedicate this symphony to the dead of the Massacre of Kalavryta."
- Mikis Theodorakis (1985)

Tracklist:

1	Evlogitos O Theos	12:09
2	Evlogitos Ei Kyrie	9:27
3	Doxa - To Trilampes	5:31
4	Pia Tou Biou Tryfi	3:25
5	Oimoi, Oion Agona	6:24
6	Pou Estin I Tou Kosmou	3:19
7	Emnisthin Tou Profitou	6:29
8	Kat' Eikona Sin Kai Omoiosin	3:24
9	Doxa Patri	2:10
10	Makarioi	6:08
11	Exelthomen	6:32
12	Amin	6:51

Mikis Theodorakis - Requiem
(320 kbps, cover art included)

In memory of the victims in Paris.