The Most Beautiful Requiem, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the Requiem you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on May 1, 2024 06:20

In the realms of classical music, the power and beauty of Requiem masses bring a profound touch to listeners, evoking deep emotions and contemplation. Ranking these masterpieces provides clarity and insight into what resonates most with audiences, making it easier for newcomers and enthusiasts alike to find compositions that strike the most poignant chord. By participating in the voting process, listeners contribute to a collective evaluation, sharing their personal experiences and preferences. This dynamic process not only enriches our understanding of musical preferences across a diverse audience but also helps to highlight lesser-known Requiems that deserve recognition.

What Is the Most Beautiful Requiem?

1

65
votes
Mozart's Requiem in D Minor

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

This masterpiece by Mozart is considered one of the most beautiful Requiems ever composed. Its haunting melodies, dramatic choral sections, and emotional depth make it a timeless classic.
Mozart's Requiem in D Minor is a sacred choral composition considered one of the most famous and widely performed Requiems in classical music. It was left unfinished at the time of Mozart's death in 1791 and was later completed by his student, Franz Xaver Süssmayr.

Key: D Minor

Genre: Classical

Composition Date: 1791

Completed By: Franz Xaver Süssmayr

Movements: Introitus, Kyrie, Sequentia (Dies Irae, Tuba Mirum, Rex Tremendae, Recordare, Confutatis, Lacrimosa), Offertorium, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, Communio
2

29
votes
Verdi's Requiem

Giuseppe Verdi

Verdi's Requiem is a powerful and dramatic masterpiece that combines operatic grandeur with religious devotion. Its soaring melodies, rich harmonies, and thunderous choral sections make it a true tour de force.
Verdi's Requiem is a large-scale choral work composed by Giuseppe Verdi, an Italian composer of the 19th century. It was first performed in 1874 and is considered one of the most beautiful and powerful Requiems in the classical music repertoire. Verdi's Requiem combines elements of opera and sacred music, creating a grand and emotional masterpiece.

Genre: Choral

Composition Year: 1874

Language: Latin

Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

Instrumentation: Large orchestra, soloists, and choir
3

17
votes
Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem

Johannes Brahms

Brahms' Requiem is a deeply moving and introspective work that explores the themes of death, redemption, and the human condition. Its lush harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and soulful choral sections make it a true masterpiece.
Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem, also known as A German Requiem, is a magnificent choral-orchestral composition.

Genre: Choral-Orchestral

Language: German

Composed: Between 1865 and 1868

Movements: Seven movements

Duration: Approximately 70-80 minutes
4

29
votes
Fauré's Requiem

Gabriel Fauré

Fauré's Requiem is a serene and meditative work that emphasizes the themes of comfort, peace, and eternal rest. Its ethereal melodies, gentle harmonies, and delicate choral sections make it a beautiful and uplifting experience.
Fauré's Requiem is a choral-orchestral composition that serves as a funeral mass, but with a unique and serene character. Unlike other Requiems, Fauré's piece focuses on a more peaceful and comforting view of death, often referred to as the 'Requiem of Light'.

Year of Composition: 1887-1890

Genre: Choral, Orchestral

Language: Latin

Structure: Seven movements

Duration: Approximately 35-40 minutes
5

17
votes
Duruflé's Requiem

Maurice Duruflé

Duruflé's Requiem is a mystical and otherworldly work that combines Gregorian chant with modern harmonies and textures. Its intricate counterpoint, rich harmonies, and haunting choral sections make it a masterpiece of 20th-century choral music.
Duruflé's Requiem is a choral and orchestral masterpiece that was composed by Maurice Duruflé. It is a setting of the Latin Requiem Mass text, which is a traditional Catholic funeral rite. Duruflé's Requiem is known for its lush and expressive harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and hauntingly beautiful melodies.

Genre: Choral and orchestral

Composition year: 1947

Text: Latin Requiem Mass

Performing forces: Mixed choir, soloists, organ, and orchestra

Number of movements: 7
6

8
votes
Berlioz's Grande Messe des morts

Hector Berlioz

Berlioz's Requiem is a grand and majestic work that was written to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the French Revolution. Its massive orchestration, thunderous choral sections, and dramatic melodies make it a truly awe-inspiring experience.
Berlioz's Grande Messe des morts, also known as his Requiem, is a monumental choral work composed by Hector Berlioz. It was first performed in 1837 and is considered one of the most beautiful and groundbreaking requiems in classical music history.

Duration: Around 90-100 minutes

Scoring: Large-scale orchestra featuring an expanded brass and woodwind section, including four offstage brass choirs

Choir: Mixed chorus, often accompanied by a children's chorus or a separate boys' choir

Text: Based on the traditional Latin Requiem Mass text

Structure: Consists of six movements, including an extended Dies irae (Day of Wrath) sequence
7

6
votes
Britten's War Requiem

Benjamin Britten

Britten's Requiem is a powerful and poignant work that combines elements of the traditional Requiem with anti-war poetry by Wilfred Owen. Its haunting melodies, stark harmonies, and emotional depth make it a masterpiece of 20th-century choral music.
Britten's War Requiem is a choral masterpiece that was composed by Benjamin Britten. It was first performed in 1962 and is considered one of the most powerful and influential requiems of the 20th century. The composition combines the Latin text of the Requiem Mass with poetry by Wilfred Owen, a World War I soldier and poet, creating a profound exploration of the themes of war, loss, and peace. Britten's War Requiem is a highly evocative and emotional work that showcases the composer's unique style and ability to juxtapose the sacred and the secular. It is often performed with a large-scale orchestra, choir, soloists, and a chamber ensemble.

Year of composition: 1961-1962

Premiere date: May 30, 1962

Text: Combination of Latin Requiem Mass and poems by Wilfred Owen

Duration: Approximately 85 minutes

Instrumentation: Large-scale orchestra, chamber ensemble, mixed choir, soloists
8

12
votes
Rutter's Requiem

John Rutter

Rutter's Requiem is a contemporary work that emphasizes the themes of comfort, peace, and hope. Its gentle melodies, lush harmonies, and uplifting choral sections make it a beautiful and inspiring experience.
Rutter's Requiem is a choral and orchestral composition that is considered one of the most beautiful Requiems. It combines traditional Latin liturgical text with English poetry.

Genre: Choral music

Composition Year: 1985

Language: Latin and English

Movements: 7

Duration: approximately 40 minutes
9

11
votes
Jenkins' Requiem

Karl Jenkins

Jenkins' Requiem is a contemporary work that combines elements of classical music with world music and jazz. Its eclectic blend of styles, soaring melodies, and emotional depth make it a unique and innovative Requiem.
Jenkins' Requiem is a contemporary choral work that combines traditional Requiem elements with multicultural influences. It is a highly emotive and richly textured composition that explores themes of life, death, and transcendence.

Genre: Contemporary classical, choral

Language: Latin, English, and other languages

Musical Forces: Large choir, symphony orchestra, soloists

Influences: World music, various cultural traditions

Sections: Introit, Dies Irae, The Snow of Yesterday, Rex tremendae, Sanctus, Pie Jesu, Agnus Dei, Lux aeterna, and others
10

7
votes
Dvořák's Requiem

Antonín Dvořák

Dvořák's Requiem is a powerful and emotional work that combines elements of the traditional Requiem with Czech folk music. Its lush harmonies, dramatic choral sections, and soaring melodies make it a true masterpiece of Romantic choral music.
Dvořák's Requiem is a choral masterpiece composed by Antonín Dvořák.

Genre: Requiem Mass

Composition Date: 1890-1891

Language: Latin

Movements: 10

Duration: around 1 hour and 30 minutes

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Discussion

Ranking factors for beautiful Requiem

Harmony

A beautiful Requiem should possess a rich and evocative harmonic structure. The harmonies should intensify the emotional impact of the melody, and create a sense of depth that envelops the listeners.
Orchestration and instrumentation

The use of instruments in a Requiem should enhance the overall listening experience by adding layers of texture and emotion. The orchestration should be well-balanced and skillfully arranged to effectively convey the message and mood of the piece.
Text setting

The choice of text for a Requiem determines the overall mood and theme of the piece. The text should be set to music in a meaningful and expressive manner, ensuring that the lyrics are clear and effectively communicated. This can be achieved through techniques such as word painting and careful attention to the natural rhythms and phrasing of the text.
Structure and form

The overall structure and form of a Requiem should be cohesive, with each section contributing to the development of ideas and emotions. The piece should flow seamlessly between contrasting sections, maintaining a sense of unity throughout.
Emotional impact

A truly beautiful Requiem should touch the hearts of listeners and evoke a strong emotional response. The music should be haunting and poignant, stirring feelings of somber reflection and gentle consolation.
Historical context and cultural significance

The importance of a Requiem in the context of its time and culture can also contribute to its beauty. Composers will often draw inspiration from their environment, history, and personal experiences, infusing their work with a sense of timelessness and universality.
Originality and innovation

A beautiful Requiem should also stand out for its creativity and innovation. The composer's unique voice and approach to writing the piece contribute to its lasting resonance and impact on audiences.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful Requiem. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Requiem is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1824 views
182 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Requiem once every 24 hours. The rank of each Requiem is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful requiem

Requiem, a musical composition typically used for funeral services, has been a source of inspiration for many composers throughout history. From Mozart's famous Requiem in D minor to Verdi's Requiem, this genre has been explored and reimagined in various ways. The beauty of a Requiem lies in its ability to evoke powerful emotions in listeners and provide a sense of closure and peace for those mourning their loved ones. But what makes a Requiem truly beautiful? Is it the haunting melodies, the powerful choruses, or the intricate harmonies? Join us as we explore some of the most beautiful Requiems ever composed and discover what sets them apart.