About Requiem of Peace

"Requiem of Peace"

Mario Pearson, composer

World Premiere November 5, 2009
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Kansas City, MO

In a packed Cathedral the Requiem of Peace made it's world premiere on Thursday, November 5, 2009.

Requiem was conceived after the tragic events of 9/11.  The movement "In Memoriam" was the first movement written.  The rest of the movements evolved upon reflection while watching the pain, the chaos and the violence that day. It vividly reminded me that the struggle for peace is needed now more than ever. It is a Requiem “of” peace instead of a traditional requiem “to” something.  This requiem uses the traditional liturgical movements but also adds three movements that call us to peace.  It begins with contemporary dissonant harmonies signaling the present time and ends with the simple and traditional Latin chant melody “In Paradisum.” --In many ways calling as to peace now as intently as we have been called to peace since the beginning of time.  There is also a musical theme that permeates throughout several of the movements.  This is the theme the listener should take with them from the performance.  It symbolizes the “musical” plea for peace during these trying times in our world!

Requiem is a multimedia composition but stands well on its own as a music piece only.  It was written to be an accessible piece for both Liturgical and Concert performances. Church, High School, College, Community and professional choirs can bring a great deal to the musical performance.

Instrumentation

Requiem is scored for:
[String Orchestra]
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Contrabass

Piano (Keyboard)
Bb Clarinet
French Horn
Timpani
Chimes

Mario Pearson, Composer

LISTEN TO SAMPLES OF EACH MOVEMENT

Introit and requiem aeternam

Kyrie Eleison

Pie Jesu

Lord make me an instrument of thy peace

Dies Irae

Sanctus

Agnus Dei

Dona Nobis

In Memoriam

In Paradisum

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