Dan Forrest: Requiem for the Living: Movement I: Introit - Kyrie

Описание: This is the first movement of my full symphony orchestra and choir rendition of Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest, my favourite classical piece of all time.

Requiem for the Living is a 5-movement, 40-minute piece, whereby Dan Forrest utilises and adapts the traditional Requiem text to address the subject of death. Whilst the Requiem Mass is typically a service pleading for the dead's admission into heaven, Dan Forrest's best known work addresses the subject of pain and sorrow by those still living in this life. It confronts the realities of suffering for those alive, and ultimately seeks to provide an answer to humanity's dying need for redemption.

The first movement, therefore, opens with increasingly intense pleas to Christ for mercy and rest. This rendition, however, harnessing beautifully recorded players of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, with vocals from Epic Choir, and supplementary legato patches offered by Appassionata Strings, all libraries provided by Spitfire Audio, gives the well-acclaimed choral classic a refreshing, cinematic interpretation. Thus, ignoring both traditional liturgical and concert settings, it emphasises a modern storytelling, theatrical element of the piece. The first movement, therefore, is the beginning of a 5-chapter story with an ending, and the first movement concludes as such.

The written score and choirs usually sing in Latin, with English translations provided. This choir is not singing the lyricism in this rendition, due to limitations of the virtual recordings. The translated lyrics are provided in the video nevertheless. It prioritises ease of read over accuracy of translation, however. The full sung Latin and translation is given below:

Latin [sung]:
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Exaudi orationem meam,
ad te omnis caro veniet.

Greek [sung]:
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.

English [translation]:
Eternal rest, grant to them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
Hear my prayer, for unto Thee all flesh shall come [Psalm 65:2].

Lord, have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord have mercy.

Piece: Requiem for the Living
Movement I: Introit - Kyrie
Composer: Dan Forrest
Publisher: Hinshaw Music
Arrangement, Performance & Production: Jôvan Howell