Berlioz: Grande Messe des Morts

Hector Berlioz

Born: 11 December 1803, near Grenoble, France
Died: 8 March 1869, Paris

‘If I were threatened with seeing my entire output burned, less one score, it would be for the Messe des morts that I would beg for mercy’ , said Berlioz (pictured right) to his friend Ferrand more than thirty years after the piece was composed. Notice he doesn’t call  his Messe ‘Grande’, nor does he call it ‘Grande’ in his ‘Mémoires‘. Instead, with a touch of paternal affection, he calls it ‘Mon requiem’. See what he says in these ‘Mémoires’ about about his feelings on composing it … and about the trouble he had getting paid for it!

These Behind the notes pages also contain an opportunity to listen to extracts from Grande Messe des Morts recommended by CEFC musical director David Temple.

See previous Behind the notes features

Gough: Ice and Palestrina: sacred works

Janáček: Glagolitic Mass and Beethoven: Mass in C

Haydn: Die Schöpfung (The Creation)

Britten: War Requiem

  
In Behind the notes we provide information, videos and links relating to the piece(s) of music currently or recently in rehearsal. If you have any comments on the section, would like to add material or wish to use any of the material as an educational resource for school groups, please contact our education and outreach manager Maggie Huntingford.