REQUIEM

Description

by Giacomo Puccini

instrumental band adaptation

arr. Carlo Pirola

 

The introductory Latin phrase of “REQUIEM aeternam dona eis, Domine…” that is, “give eternal rest to them, O Lord” indicates a prayer of invocation for the deceased which refers to the anniversary of November 29th, the centenary of the death of Giacomo Puccini (1858/1924).

In this short musical composition of his, dated 14 January 1905, Puccini wished to pay homage to Giuseppe Verdi (who died on 27 January 1901).

The piece was supposed to have a celebratory character and was originally composed by Puccini for this formation: three choral voices of soprano, tenor, bass, with accompaniment by harmonium or organ and the soloist intervention of the viola.

The autograph of this composition (of which I attach a partial reproduction) was deposited at the Rest Home for Musicians in Milan, commissioned by Giuseppe Verdi. Puccini’s intentions were to allow performances here, with the participation of the guests themselves, both singers and instrumentalists, given that they had an organ at their disposal in the adjoining concert hall.

The manuscript was then donated to the Scala Theater Museum. Several artists from the La Scala orchestra also performed this Puccini Requiem at the G. Verdi retirement home, for the benefit of the guest musicians; Furthermore, we also remember a performance in the foyer of the Teatro alla Scala, in 1974, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Puccini’s death.

The REQUIEM presents itself with a brief introduction by the organ, followed by the intervention of the choral voices accompanied by particular harmonies, with various dialogues between the parts.

This instrumentation was designed for wind instruments only, with appropriate percussion accompaniment. Therefore it is not a transcription for any choral accompaniment (but it can be adapted using only the reeds and woodwinds); it is deliberately intended for band members only, demonstrating an ability aimed at the expressive musicality of this Puccini piece.

The part of the viola has been replaced with the sweet timbre of the oboe which at various moments lends itself to intervening and communicating with the entire band.

Therefore in this instrumentation the choral parts are entrusted only to the brass, which must perform respecting the various dynamics indicated, with an intimate and reflective sound to underline the sad character of the prayer. The score contains the Latin text of the Requiem in the brass voices only, to facilitate interpretative research by a respectful and effective direction.

The instrumental sections help to accompany the choral voices of the brass instruments, with the right balance and respecting the various agogic indications, therefore without burdening and sound exaggerations, with the creation of well-calibrated crescendos and diminuendi. There is no shortage of singable and expressive interventions of the descending melody, both at the beginning and towards the end, entrusted only to the reeds which become the protagonists in the finale, with the motif of the “lux perpetua” and the reiteration of the “requiescant in pace”.

The AMEN follows with the pianissimo of the brass instruments followed by the more than pianissimo final chord.

Puccini’s REQUIEM therefore aims to be a particular musical proposal, easy to perform, intended only for the band, a significant piece in the centenary of Puccini’s death.

It is a dutiful tribute in memory of his musical production, especially the operatic one, welcomed and transcribed several times and performed by our instrumental band ensembles, for the diffusion and pleasure of passionate listeners.

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