Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem / Klaas Stok

But above all, Brahmsʼ Requiem is a magnificent choral work. Brahms himself would have liked to call his »German Requiem« the »Requiem for Man«, not (only) because of the lavish choral scenes, but because the composer – in keeping with the context of his time – dispensed with any liturgical reference. Instead, he focussed on the people themselves and their experiences and chose biblical passages as the basis for the text, which provide comfort in the event of loss and severe suffering.

For the urgency of the expression, Brahms sends the choir through many key changes and into remote harmonies, from meditative pauses to dramatic outbursts. The NDR Vokalensemble under the direction of its chief conductor Klaas Stok is able to utilise its full range here. The solo parts are skilfully integrated into the choral movements. The NDR Vokalensemble has enlisted the services of US baritone John Chest and Australian Siobhan Stagg. The Italian music magazine GB Opera hailed the soprano as a »brilliant soprano, even in the difficult colouratura parts«.