Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Donald Runnicles, Ruxandra Donose :: Mozart: Requiem

A Fine Introit to Mozart's 250th Birthday Year

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 10/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As the festivities are being planned for the worldwide celebration of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 250th Birthday every orchestra is scheduling performances of the master's major works. And what is more fitting an homage to the genius of Mozart than his Requiem KV 626. Though everyone knows Mozart died before completing this masterpiece, we have all accepted the edition completed by Franz Xaver Sussmayr, Mozart's assistant, as the closet possible realization of Mozart's pieces and bits of scoring. But in 1993 Robert V. Levin's scholarly and sensitive edition arrived and it is this fresh edition of the Requiem here recorded.



Donald Runnicles conducts the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus is this truly splendid new version of the Requiem. Runnicles' approach to the work is more operatic than most (his fine work with the San Francisco Opera shows) and while there are those that will prefer the 'period instrument and style' performances so readily available on multiple CDs, his approach lends itself to a richly immediate and text appropriate result. The chorus is reduced in size from the well-known Chorus (remnant of Robert Shaw's tenure with these musicians) and sings with complete clarity of pitch and elegant phrasing. They are supported by Runnicles' fine choice of tempi and one of the best sounding orchestras for this Requiem.



Runnicles selected a top notch quartet of soloists: Christine Brewer, soprano, proving that she is not only a fine rising Wagnerian but a sensitive Mozartean as well; mezzo-soprano Ruxandra Donose from whom we will doubtless be hearing more!; John Tessier, tenor; and Eric Owens, bass. Each singer shines in solo passages and in the quartet portions form as unified a sound as any on record.



This recording will most likely be on the list when the Grammy Awards nominations are made public. It is a beautifully performed, lovely and elegant Requiem - and a fine opportunity for Mozart devotees to hear the Levin edition! Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, October 05



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