Brahms gave his 1868 Requiem the title “A German Requiem” because the texts that he chose are in German, from the Lutheran Bible, not from the traditional Latin Requiem Mass. Brahms himself said that he would happily call his Requiem the “Human Requiem.” It is a stunning work that focuses on comforting the living — “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Combining Brahms’s beautiful writing and well-crafted structure, it’s become one of the most popular symphonic choral works in the literature.
A translation of the text can be found here.
Ming Luke, BCCO's Music Director »
BCCO Photo Archive »
Concert soloists:
Ellen Leslie, soprano
Andrew Pardini, baritone
The soloists are the winners of BCCO’s Vocal Soloist Competition.
Concerts: Hertz Hall, on the UC Berkeley Campus
Directions to Hertz Hall »
Our concerts are free;
donations are always welcome.
