Mozart: Requiem / Bernard Labadie et al.
Labadie uses Robert Levin’s reconstructed score. Of particular note is the fugue “Amen” following the “Lacrimosa”, which was reconstructed from a fragment of Mozart’s work. Only 16 measures of Mozart’s fragment remain, but the beginning of the four-part fugue is perfectly preserved. Importantly, this fragment is written in “quadruple counterpoint”, a technique where the music remains functional regardless of how the four melodies are rearranged. This should make reconstruction surprisingly smooth, but such reconstructions were rarely performed until recently, with the Süssmayr completion being predominantly used in the past. Another CD that uses this reconstructed “Amen” fugue is Christopher Hogwood’s recording using Richard Maunder’s version. This performance is a thorough omission, completely removing pieces such as “Sanctus” and “Benedictu”, which are believed to have been composed by Süssmayr. There is also a Felix Koch recording using the Birger Petersen version, but unfortunately, I haven’t heard it yet. #mozart #requiem #amen #fugue #片山俊幸
