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Gregory Spears's A New Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei for the Mozart Requiem in New Version for Period Instruments

Feb. 03, 2016

Gregory Spears's <em>A New Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei for the Mozart Requiem</em> in New Version for Period Instruments

Seraphic Fire joins the Sebastian Players Chamber Orchestra to present the world premiere of a new period instrument version of Gregory Spears’s A New Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei for the Mozart Requiem on February 12. The Miami-based choir premiered Spears's original version for modern orchestral instruments in November of 2013 with the Firebird Chamber Orchestra, hailed by the South Florida Classical Review as “a bold new completion.”

Gregory Spears cites a recording of the original Requiem from 1955 with conductor Eugen Jochum as inspiration for the completion:

On the recording, the traditional Mozart/Süssmayr completion was performed as part of a memorial service in Vienna. This historical recording — which interpolated organ improvisations and chanted texts into the musical fabric — was a reminder that a Requiem, when performed as a mass, invites music from different sources and time periods.

Spears approached the piece with the intention to pay homage to the juxtaposition of “old and new styles apparent in Mozart’s late work”. The new version employs period wind instruments, including classical basset horns, classical bassoons, natural trumpets, and classical trombones in addition to the choir, organ, and strings.

Following the premiere in Fort Lauderdale, the work receives performances in Miami, Washington DC, New York City, and Philadelphia throughout February.

For more information about Gregory Spears, visit schott-music.com.

For tickets and information, visit seraphicfire.org. 

Gregory Spears
A New Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei for the Mozart Requiem (2015)
for mixed chorus (SATB) and soloists, organ, and orchestra
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version for period instrument ensemble, mixed chorus (SATB) and soloists, and organ: 2 classical basset horns in F, 2 classical bassoons; 2 natural trumpets (player 1 in B-flat; player 2 in C and in B-flat), 2 classical trombones (player 1 and 2 on tenor; player 3 on bass); timpani (three drums: one high; two low); organ, strings
20’

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