He might write you program notes!!
You will find Omen Safavi on the front row of our Symphonic Choir in the tenor section at this Friday’s Timeless Comfort, Modern Witness season finale. He’s also a father who wrote this listening guide for his kids. Thank you Omen for sharing it with our Conspirare community.
A Guide to Brahms’ German Requiem
For Cyrus and Hope, from Dad.
Think of this piece as a journey through a difficult mountain pass. It starts in the shadows, moves through some intense, stormy weather, but eventually emerges into a beautiful, sunlit meadow. I’m really excited to share this experience with you. And don’t worry even though this is a Requiem, I promise it won’t be a grave situation.
Part 1: The Journey Begins (Movements 1 to 3)
- Movement 1: Comfort for the Sad. The piece starts very quietly, almost like a whisper. It’s about the feeling of being sad but knowing you’re not alone. It’s a musical hug that says, “It’s okay to be sad, and things will get better.”
- Movement 2:
- The Cycle of Life. This starts with a steady, walking rhythm like a slow, heavy march. It talks about how all living things grow and fade like the grass in a field. It sounds a bit dark at first, but it changes into a powerful, hopeful message that even though life is short, there’s beauty in the cycle.
- Movement 3: Asking Big Questions. A baritone soloist joins in to ask the big questions we all have: “How long am I here for?” and “What’s the point of it all?” It’s a very dramatic movement, ending in a big, complex musical argument where the different voice sections chase each other to prove a point about faith and strength. It’s a bit of a Bach and forth.
Part 2: The Heart of the Work (Movements 4 to 5)
- Movement 4: A Place of Peace. This is often the most famous part. It’s a beautiful, gentle song about finding a dwelling place, a home where everything’s calm and perfect. It has a graceful, waltz-like feeling that makes you feel like you’re floating.
- Movement 5: The Comfort of a Mother. This part is very soft and comforting. The message is, “I will comfort you, just as a mother comforts her child.” It’s very tender and intimate. Listen for the soprano soloist, Chelsea Helm. She has the most beautiful and expressive voice you’ll (just about) ever hear. Her voice glides out like golden spun silk and you can’t help but feel the emotions she’s conveying with everything she has.
Part 3: The Arrival (Movements 6 to 7)
- Movement 6: The Great Change. This is the adventure movement. It features the baritone soloist again and is big, loud, and exciting. It talks about a great mystery, the idea that even when things seem to end, they can be transformed into something new. It’s like the big finish of the whole story, full of energy and triumph.
- Movement 7: Rest. The piece ends exactly how it began, quietly and calmly. It circles back to that initial feeling of peace. The music finishes on the word “Selig” (which means Blessed). It leaves you with the feeling that the people we love are at peace, and that we can carry on with that same peace in our own hearts. Hopefully, you’ll note how great it sounds.
Tips for the Performance
- Watch the Story: See if you can spot the moment when the music goes from feeling heavy and dark to light and hopeful.
- Look for Dad!: Keep an eye out for me on stage. I’ll be in the first row, stage right. Watching the effort and passion I put into the performance will make it much more real for you (and therefore the entire audience, and will likely have repercussions across the globe).
- Don’t worry about the German: Even if you don’t understand a single word, the music’s written so well that the feeling of the German words comes through. If the music sounds like a storm, the words are about struggle. If it sounds like a lullaby, the words are about comfort. Just let the music wash over you!
I love you,
Dad
