[Contents]

Ⅰ Requiem aeternam 

Ⅱ Dies irae 

Ⅲ Offertorio 

Ⅳ Sanctus 

[Dedication]

[Commission]

[Program Note]

After the outbreak of the Korean War – June 25, 1950 – Korea was plunged into ruin, people were devastated and hope lost. However, during these difficult times, there were colossal figures who contributed to the country’s economic resurrection and heroes who responded to assist in building the foundations of the Korean economy making possible the miracle we see today. Their passionate devotion allowed the dejected Korean people to dream and hope for the country’s future. People around the world marveled at the nation’s achievement.

Jaejoon Ryu believes the Korea we have today is the result of these heroes’ unending efforts, but that their achievements have too easily been forgotten while people enjoy themselves in the society these giants helped create. This Requiem serves to commemorate and celebrate their achievements.

Requiem compositions over the centuries from renowned composers such as Mozart, Verdi or Britten usually – and unsurprisingly – centre on death. After all, the requiem text relates directly to the body’s internment and music associated with it is funereal. On occasions, as in Hindemith’s Requiem there is an expression or ‘discussion’ on an abstract concept of Death. However, Ryu’s “Sinfonia da Requiem” is special in regards to its focus on the history of a nation.

This work is in four movements with each beginning from: Requiem, Dies Irae, Offertorio and Sanctus.  The sonata-form first movement introduces the beginning theme, which gradually raises adding tension. The theme is a central figure repeated throughout the entire movement in modified figures. The second theme is performed by a wind ensemble depicting a pastoral atmosphere. The second movement’s main theme, however, is dominated by soprano and is indirectly heard appearing as an organic connection between the occurrences of counterpoint activity and harmonic eruption. The coda of the movement is the inversion of the coda of the first movement.

The quiet and rich third movement has a grand introduction with brass and choir followed by a display of technical brilliance from the soprano soloist exerting an unhesitatingly commanding presence over the work. Tranquility follows. For the fourth movement, the composer chose the Sanctus text to achieve a sense of triumphant rather than the serene, almost careful endings we almost invariably encounter in most requiems. Through the splendor of soprano soloist, orchestra and choir, this Requiem reveals the past and the present, as well as death and that fierce battle over life. It ends in joy – and hope.

The composition was premiered in March 2008 as part of the special opening program for the Beethoven Festival in Poland. It was performed by soprano Inhye Kim, the Polish Radio Orchestra, the Kraków National Radio Choir and the Camerata Silesia Choir all in the National Philharmonia Hall, Warsaw. Its ending created a sensation, with thunderous applause from the audience, one of whom was the renowned composer Penderecki.

The title, “Sinfonia da Requiem” was given by Penderecki himself, and this master work can now be heard throughout the world this year on the Naxos label. 

[Media]

[Premiers]

5th. March, 2008, Warszawa Poalnd 

Beethoven Easter Festival Warszawa Philharmonic Hall 

Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Warszawa Polish Radio Choir, 

Krakow Camerata Silesia Soprano Inhye Kim, Conductor Lukasz Borowicz 

[World premiere]

[Instrumentation]

Piccolo

2 Flutes

2 Oboes English horn

2 Bb Clarinets

Bb Bass Clarinet

2 Bassoons

Contra Bassoo

4 Horn in F

3 C Trumpets

3 Trombones

Tuba

Timpani(D, G, A, E)

2 Percussions

1st Percussion

    Gloken, Piatti(Cymbals), Marimbaphone, Cassa

2st Percussion

    Grand Cassa, cassa, Tam-tam, Piatti(Sustained cymbal)

Soprano solo

Mixed Chorus

1st Violin

2nd Violin

Viola

Violoncello

Contrabass

[Music score details]

ISBN l 979-11-85129-18-1

Composer l Jeajoon Ryu

Duration l 45’