Requiem

Instrumentation: soprano soloist, female choir (SSAA), 2 flutes (flute 2 doubles piccolo), 1 oboe (doubles English horn), 2 B-flat clarinet (clarinet 2 doubles bass clarinet), 3 violin I, 3 violin II, 3 viola, 2 cello, 1 bass

World Premiere: Lorraine Fitzmaurice (conductor); Liza Sobel (soprano); April 20, 2012; Barnes Hall, Cornell University

Duration: 19 minutes

Program notes down below

Program Notes:

I. Introitus

II. Kyrie

III. Dies Irae

IV. Instrumental Interlude

V. Lacrimosa

VI. Sanctus

VII. Benedictus

VIII. Agnus Dei

Requiem premiered in April 2012, and it won the 2013 American Prize in the choral division. This requiem is in honor of her very special grandmother, Pauline Westerfeld, who died in December 2011, and Liza's beloved pugs Cody and Wrinkles Sobel, who also died the same year. This requiem is also for others who have had to deal with these losses.

This requiem has eight movements, and each movement has a different instrumentation. The different instrumentation not only provides timbral variety, but is also meant to enhance the dramatic arch of the piece. The eight movements form two major sections. The first section is a buildup of instruments and tension that consists of Introitus, Kyrie, and Dies Irae. The instrumental Interlude after the Dies Irae transitions to the slower and calmer second half of the piece, which consists of the Lacrimosa, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei.