Bryn Terfel sings Britten's War Requiem

The Full Works Concert, Tuesday 11 November 2014 8pm. Bryn Terfel and a stellar musical cast marked Armistice Day with an exclusive performance of Britten's staggering work.

Jane Jones presented a special Armistice Day concert recorded exclusively for Classic FM at the Royal Albert Hall on Remembrance Sunday.

LISTEN HERE: Classic FM Full Works Concert (Tuesday 11 November)

Written in 1961, Benjamin Britten's War Requiem was inspired by the poems of Wilfred Owen who was killed in action on 4 November 1918, just days before the Armistice. The work profoundly weaves together nine of Owen’s most poignant poems, including Anthem for Doomed Youth and Strange Meeting, with the traditional Latin Mass.

READ: War Requiem - the complete text > 

For the 1962 premiere in Coventry Cathedral, Britten nurtured the spirit of reconciliation between former warring nations, intending that the soloists should come from the three main protagonists – Russia, Germany and Great Britain. Tonight's performance brought together these three nations represented by international soloists:  

Russian soprano Evelina Dobraceva. 

British bass-baritone Bryn Terfel and German tenor Stephan Rügamer. 

The performance is conducted by Richard Cooke, Musical Director of the Royal Choral Society. 

Attending the Remembrance Day concert were dignitaries from around the world including HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester; HRH the Duke of Kent; and Richard Chartres, Bishop of London.

Photos © Chris Christodoulou 

Programme

George Butterworth: 2 English Idylls for small orchestra
Mark Elder conducts the Halle Orchestra

Benjamin Britten: War Requiem
Singers: Evelina Dobraceva, Stephan Rügamer, Bryn Terfel
Trinity Boys Choir
Royal Choral Society
Richard Cooke conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra

Gerald Finzi: Romance in Eb major Opus 11
Howard Griffiths conducts the Royal Northern Sinfonia