Like many other composers, Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842) was a valued colleague of well-known musicians (Beethoven, Schumann), but completely forgotten after his death. Beethoven once called him Europe's greatest and living composer. Cherubini was born in Florence, but spent most of his life in France. He founded a successful opera company and was in French court circles. He was also 'Surintendant de
… la musique du roi'. In 1815 he was commissioned to compose a requiem in memory of the death of Louis XVI. Not just any assignment, because Louis XVI had been killed by execution. The "Requiem in C minor" was a success and has even been performed several times. The work has been written for choir and orchestra. In the orchestral setting, the flutes have been omitted and the tam-tam has been added. Some beautiful parts have been written for the choir, such as the "Offertorium". The "Requiem" is on a CD by the Corydon Singers & Orchestra conducted by Matthew Best, together with a short "Marche funebre". (LW) _more
