Organization

Admin

Fisher Center at Bard

Carnegie Hall

Singer

Soprano

Leah Hawkins

Mezzo-soprano

Lindsay Ammann

Alto

Tenor

Joshua Blue

Bass

Stefan Erik Egerstrom

Others

Bard Festival Chorale

Orchestra

American Symphony Orchestra

Conductor

Leon Botstein

Chorus master

James Bagwell

Requiem, Op.89 -  (Requiem)

New York City

United States

Requiem, Op.89 Dvořák

Public

Requiem

Jnanakumar P

Approved

Dating from the composer’s late creative period, Antonín Dvořák’s Requiem mystifyingly remains a rarity in his impressive oeuvre. It is nowhere near as well known, or as frequently performed, as the composer’s late symphonies, chamber works, or other choral works, such as his Stabat Mater, from this period. Closer to Fauré’s or Cherubini’s contributions to the genre than the overt theatricality of Verdi’s and Berlioz’s requiems, Dvořák’s own requiem is often serene and introspective in mood, with gentle melodies and noble lyricism. There are, nevertheless, countless moments of spontaneous expression and pure inspiration that could only stem from Dvořák’s pen, like the intense chromaticism in “Pie Jesu” or the sheer drama of chosen moments, such as the “Agnus Dei,” with its diaphanous close. The use of a four-note chromatic motif, present in almost all sections of the piece, gives the work a satisfying feel of thematic unity. While rich in invention and expressivity, it is its tender, melancholic examination of the mysteries of life and death that ultimately make this requiem so deserving of further exploration in the public sphere—far more than it has received up to now.

Dating from the composer’s late creative period, Antonín Dvořák’s Requiem mystifyingly remains a rarity in his impressive oeuvre. It is nowhere near as well known, or as frequently performed, as the composer’s late symphonies, chamber works, or other choral works, such as his Stabat Mater, from this period. Closer to Fauré’s or Cherubini’s contributions to the genre than the overt theatricality of Verdi’s and Berlioz’s requiems, Dvořák’s own requiem is often serene and introspective in mood, with gentle melodies and noble lyricism. There are, nevertheless, countless moments of spontaneous expression and pure inspiration that could only stem from Dvořák’s pen, like the intense chromaticism in “Pie Jesu” or the sheer drama of chosen moments, such as the “Agnus Dei,” with its diaphanous close. The use of a four-note chromatic motif, present in almost all sections of the piece, gives the work a satisfying feel of thematic unity. While rich in invention and expressivity, it is its tender, melancholic examination of the mysteries of life and death that ultimately make this requiem so deserving of further exploration in the public sphere—far more than it has received up to now.

This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The ASO’s Vanguard Series is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

English

Requiem by Dvořák, From (2024/2024), Conductor Leon Botstein, Carnegie Hall, New York City, United States

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Videos

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues