Requiem
2013 BBC Four and S4C
The surprising and enthralling story of the musical Requiem, from its earliest beginnings in plainsong through to Penderecki in the 21st century. John Bridcut's new film features excerpts of the most famous and popular Requiems, but also explores much less familiar terrain – the Requiems of Schumann, Pizzetti and Cherubini, who is in many ways the godfather of the requiem.
Includes performances by the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, conducted by Edward Gardner, with Neal Davies (bass-baritone) and Elin Manahan Thomas and Annemarie Kremer (sopranos), and the choir Tenebrae (conducted by Nigel Short). Contributors are Bryn Terfel, David Cairns, Jane Glover, Bishop Rowan Williams, John Rutter and Sir Colin Davis, to whose memory the film is dedicated.
The film shows how politics and nationalism have been involved in the Requiem for several hundred years, and tracks the chain of inspiration from Ockeghem to the present day.
FILM CREDITS
Director of Photography | Stephen Hart |
Jib Operator | Jeff Thomas |
Sound | Deian Humphreys |
Orchestral and Choral Sound | Mike Hatch, Paul Paragon |
Online Editor | David Peate |
Colourist | Emyr Jenkins |
Dubbing Mixer | Alice Knipping |
Orchestral Music Producer | Tim Oldham |
Production Manager | Marian Eluned |
Assistant Producer | Bethan Anwyl |
BBC Commissioning Editor | Greg Sanderson |
Executive Producer | Paul Islwyn Thomas |
Film Editor | Chris Lewis |
Written, Narrated and Directed by | John Bridcut |
A Bulb Films production in association with Crux Productions
After its screening on BBC Four in November 2013, it was shown in three parts on S4C (in Welsh) in May 2014.
REVIEWS
John Bridcut’s riveting survey of requiems severe, theatrical, florid or intimate (PICK OF THE WEEKEND).
Though eccentrically structured, Britten’s film is rich in insights and well-cast. (PICK OF THE DAY)
The requiem has given us some of the most famous classical pieces of music ever written, suggests John Bridcut’s deliberate and moving film.
John Bridcut's engaging film
John Bridcut's thoughtful film