Thursday, 4/21/2011, at 7:30 pm in Magale Recital Hall

The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra and NSU Symphonic Chorus will perform Johannes Brahms’ “A German Requiem.” Tickets are $10.

Dr. Douglas Bakenhus is the conductor of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra and Dr. Burt Allen is the Director of Choral Activities. Allen will conduct the orchestra and NSU Symphonic Chorus, which consists of the NSU Concert Choir and NSU Chamber Choir. Featured soloists are Northwestern faculty members soprano Terrie Sanders and baritone Chris Gilliam.

‘“A German Requiem’ was not written as a nationalistic work, but was composed because Brahms wanted to get away from the Latin liturgical text. He wanted to write something in the language of the people,” said Allen. “The entire work is spiritual but not necessarily Christian. It is of the Judeo-Christian heritage and has a group of texts that are consoling and center around the subject of death. The Old and New Testaments provided insight into common human experience. All of us will die or have someone close to us die. This work was likely inspired by the death of Brahms’ mother.”

“A German Requiem” was first performed on Good Friday in April 1868. Allen said the performance is in English, adhering to Brahms’ philosophy that the work should heard by an audience in their own language.

The work is in seven movements and has equal participation by the orchestra and chorus. According to Allen, themes from the first movement reappear in the seventh. The text of the opening movements revolves around death and the hope that some good will come from it. The fourth movement has a strong statement of faith, ‘All is in the hands of God’ as well as the centerpiece ‘How Lovely is thy Dwelling Place,” which is very recognizable, Allen said.

“Many scholars say the soprano is portraying Brahms’ mother speaking to him from beyond with consolation and sensitivity,” said Allen. “This movement features the entire orchestra and is almost symphonic.”

Allen said this is the fourth time he has been involved in performing “A German Requiem,” and each new performance teaches him something else about the work.

“This is one of the great works of Western art,” said Allen. “I am continuing to discover new things and learn from this work. I admire Brahms and the new detail that shows the care and genius that went into constructing this work.”