Britten/War Requiem (Britten, 1963)

An English composer of the 20th century, Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem" (Decca). A requiem mass composed for the 1962 reconsecration of St Michael's Cathedral in Coventry after the the original structure was destroyed in a World War II bombing raid by German forces. A large-scale piece for an orchestra, a chamber orchestra, soprano, tenor and baritone soloists, mixed chorus in four voices and boys' choir. They sing the traditional Latin Requiem texts and Wilfred Owen's English poems. The pity of war and prayer for peace. A historical recording featuring Galina Vishnevskaya (soprano) from the former Soviet Union, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) from Germany, Peter Pears (tenor. Britten's life-long partner) from England, with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Britten. This recording is old, but the vocal solos are beautiful. 2 CDs (about 90 minutes).