Requiem by Heinrich von Herzogenberg

The feature on this issue of Going Beyond Words and ACDA ChoralNet Radio is a marvelous piece of Romantic style music written in 1891 by the great Austrian composer Heinrich von Herzogenberg. He like many fine composers began to study a law degree but in the midst of his legal studies was compelled to change to composition and immersed himself in the musical language. Von Herzogenberg’s lived from June 10, 1843, to October 9, 1900.  He wrote many concert works with sacred texts: three oratorios; several orchestral works including two psalms, a mass, a requiem, several motets, a sacred cantata, two symphonies; and many part songs with and without accompaniment for all voice combinations.

It is interesting to note that before Elizabeth, his wife, died, she was able to send a note to Clara Schumann and said, “May I send you Heinrich’s requiem in the piano arrangement? I boldly claim that it is such a beautiful mature piece, so simple and intelligible free of all overloading and so genuine in feeling, that it is certain to make its way.”

The requiem has six movements and requires four mature soloists, a boy, mixed chorus, and orchestra.  You will hear the Monteverdichor of Würzbueg and the Thüringen Philharmonie of Gotha, with Mattias Beckert, conductor. This is a CPO label recording from 2013 777755-2. Take a listen because this and other works of this marvelous composer offer both teachers and students of choral music a great experience in study and performance.

For a look at the CDs used and a complete list of music heard, go to the blog of WWW.GOINGBEYONDWORDS.COM website and click on show 2036.