Search - Jacques Mercier :: Saint-Saens: REQUIEM

"It's not enough to be a saint"

M. Zimmermann | Vienna,Austria | 04/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Saint-Saens often stated that he was not a virtual disbeliever but an utter disbeliever. This contrasts with his rich legacy of church music. Above all of it we have his incredible "Messe de Requiem" which is one of his greatest works and so rich and colourful that one is immediately sorry for not having heard it (or at least about it) before.

That's the feeling I had when first listening to the Requiem and I still cannot understand why it is so seldomly performed. The music is utterly beautiful and the atmosphere Saint-Saens conjures up is of such a mystique longing that one can hardly believe his unexpected statement of being a disbeliever. Some parts almost sound like Verdi's Requiem but Saint-Saens' ideas are completely original and never does he fall for cheap plagiarism.

Especially the final Agnus Dei is so amazing where Saint-Saens borrows elements from the Choeur des Hébreux at the beginning of his great oratorio-opera "Samson et Dalila". The soloists on this recording, under the baton of Mercier form an incredible "harmony" in creating what I think is one of the greatest achievements of requiems ever. There is another recording on Chandos which is quite as good regarding the orchestra but the soloists and chorus cannot compete with this recording where especially french tenor Jean-Luc Viala gives a heartbreaking performance and of course here we have great french dramatic soprano Francoise Pollet leading the ensemble! The other work on this recording is Saint-Saens' Psaume XVIII which sounds like a "little brother" compared to the Requiem but is still amazing and confirms Saint-Saens' place among the true masters of church music. As another reviewer pointed out, the "Duo" with the two sopranos alone is worth getting this disc but it's much more for the beautiful Requiem that this recording is highly recommendable and I hope that the work will be much more known and performed in the future!

Saint-Saens also wrote that "In art, it's not enough to be a saint. You also need talent, you need style. And what better place is there for the grand style than the Church..." We are lucky to hear his great Requiem today as proof of what he said!!!"

The Duo Movement of Psalm XVIII worths anything

B. Brown | Jerusalem Israel | 03/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Saint Saens is less known for his religious works, an that's a pity.



I first came across the Requiem in a university library, and fell in love with it, esp. with the Agnus Dei movement. I then bought this disc for the Requiem and the Psalm was just a bonus. And indeed, it's quite mediocre a work. However, one single movement in this Psalm - the Duo - is incredible: 4.20 minutes of a real thrilling piece, quite unknown even to keen vocal music lovers. I can't describe it very well. Just go and listen to it.



The sound is excellent, the singers are good, though a little too operaic. Mercier, the conductor, has a sensitive touch. On the whole, it's warmly recommended."