Matthew Coleridge's beautiful and moving Requiem was written in 2016. Choosing to omit certain sections such as the Dies Irae and In Paradisum, the Requiem...

Matthew Coleridge's beautiful and moving Requiem was written in 2016. Choosing to omit certain sections such as the Dies Irae and In Paradisum, the Requiem shows an affinity towards the music of Ockeghem, de La Rue and Richafort. The work is a tribute to a departed soul, the solo cello part can perhaps be seen as an embodiment of that soul. "A valuable addition to the 21st century choral repertoire" - Sir Neville Marriner. The composer writes: “Requiem is my first major composition and most frequently performed work. Far from being inspired by, or in memory of, a lost loved one, I wrote the majority of it in the months following the birth of my son. I hope this brings an optimistic, affirming and uplifting mood to the music. I was determined to avoid any clichés of angelic harps or fires of hell, and chose to take a more human and earthly approach - something more akin to the Requiems of the middle ages and Renaissance. Much of the writing is in the manner of Gregorian chant, with numerous melodic ‘threads’ woven together into a rich tapestry of sound. The solo cello became a vital part of the music from some of the earliest drafts, providing a counterpoint of light against dark. Whenever the choir are singing about loss or sorrow, the cello sings a song of hope and comfort.”