RICHARD DANIELPOUR; "An American Requiem" (Reference Recordings) ****
"To the memory of those who died in the wake of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, and in tribute to the American soldier — past, present and future," reads the dedication of composer Richard Danielpour on his CD, "An American Requiem."
It seems fitting for this masterful new work to bring our collective consciousness of war and death not only up to date but also back in time, encompassing a fundamental human experience.
The age-old, traditional religious text of the requiem, combined with the more "contemporary" American poetry of Whitman, Emerson, H.D. and Michael Harper, sets an exquisite canvas on which Danielpour paints his vivid and emotional vision. Written mostly in a neo-romantic style, Danielpour's large, broad strokes communicate in an unmistakable manner.
For example, the "Dias Irae (Day of Wrath)" is truly terrifying, borrowing some of the same dark drama of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" but stepping it up a notch. True, it relies a lot on large, bold, bass statements to carry its thundering message, but something more subtle probably wouldn't carry the same impact. Danielpour contrasts it, however, with the sweeter "Pie Jesu" and more thoughtful "Lux Aeterna," which not only give it interest by setting it in relief but carry their own version of drama.
Overall, the piece is accessible and intelligent, using a lot of interesting and varied material, and it's a terrific new addition to the repertoire of American music.
"An American Requiem" is performed by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Carl St. Clair.
E-mail: rcline@desnews.com