Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

If ever I am asked to compile a box-set entitled 'Now That's What I Call A Requiem' - an unlikely event I admit - Faure's Requiem will certainly be included, although just a few moment's research will raise the question of which one. This SACD is the first recording of Marc Rigaudière's new reconstruction of the earliest complete liturgical performance of the Requiem. It faithfully recreates the 1889 premiere, even using the organ stops available to the organist at the L'église de la Madeleine in Paris. The instruments and techniques used by the orchestra are typical of those used in a French orchestra of the late 19th century. This attention to detail is what we have come to expect of Stephen Cleobury and the Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment and when joined by the superlative Choir of King's College we get what will, I am sure, be the definitive recording of this version of Faure's Requiem. However there's the rub - is this version the one you want? This "new" Requiem comes in at under thirty minutes so there is room for some bonus material and very helpfully we get the "Offertoire" from John Rutter's edition. Rutter's "Offertoire", if we may call it that, lasts just over eight minutes and Rigaudière's is under three. Both are good, both are well worth hearing, but they are different enough to cause a problem for those who buy the "wrong" version to help them to prepare to sing the Requiem. There are many candidates to be a Best Buy for Faure's Requiem and this is another worthy addition to a very strong list - so long as you are aware that it is not quite the same as the others already out there. As well as the Rutter bonus track the CD also contains Faure's "Cantique de Jean Racine", heard here in its original version for choir and organ, and his "Messe Basse" for high voices, sung by the 16 choristers of the Choir. If you have never heard Faure's Requiem this is an excellent addition to your collection but if you come to it expecting something more classically Romantic - and many previous recordings are unashamedly Romantic - then you will be surprised. Personally I found it a pleasant surprise and while I will not be discarding any of my other recordings of this Requiem this is one that I will be returning to in the future.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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