2014-10-29

On the 31st of October in Kraków the Orchestra and Choir of the Kraków Philharmonic, directed by Michał Dworzyński and conducted by Teresa Majka-Pacanek, with the following soloists: Maria Boberska (soprano), and Jarosław Bręk (bass) premièred a symphony version of Requiem – an opus whose version for chamber orchestra was enthusiastically received by the audience during its first performance in Presteigne in August of this year.
Requiem was also presented by Hertford College Choir&Orchestra directed by Nick Graham. The composition took place in Hertford College Chapel Sunday the 9th of November 2014, 5,45 PM

We do not know the time for the consummation of the earth and of humanity, nor do we know how all things will be transformed. As deformed by sin, the shape of this world will pass away; but we are taught that God is preparing a new dwelling place and a new earth where justice will abide, and whose blessedness will answer and surpass all the longings for peace which spring up in the human heart. Then, with death overcome, the sons of God will be raised up in Christ. (citation from : Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium Et Spes, promulgated by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI on December 7, 1965)


Requiem for soprano, baritone, mixed choir and orchestra (2013-2014) is the second link of the Officium defunctorum cycle and a continuation of the funeral theme taken up in Vesperae pro defunctis (1995) and Salve Regina (2010).

This about 55 minute long opus comprises of ten parts: Requiem aeternam, Kyrie, Psalm 23, Alleluia, Pie Jesu, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Lux aeterna, In paradisum and Libera me.

Almost every part is dedicated to recently deceased people who, for various reasons, were close to me, among whom I would like to mention Wojciech Kilar, John Tavener, Wiesława Krodkiewska, Cardinal Józef Glemp, Otto Stock and family members: Leszek Łukaszewski, Andrzej Patrzyk and Michalina and Zenon Michalski.

During funeral rites the dead are commended to God's keeping, the hope of the living is strengthened, the belief that all the baptised will be resurrected with Christ is declared, the prayers for the departed to cross death into life are recited. Therefore the message behind the funeral liturgy is the hope of eternal life, the profession of the belief in the resurrection and another encounter in the Kingdom of Heaven. From the heavenly Jerusalem angels will come to meet the soul and they will lead them to Paradise, where they will be greeted by the martyrs to the accompaniment of angelic choirs.

My Requiem is an attempt to introduce the greatest mystery of our faith.

Paweł Łukaszewski