Nikolaus Harnoncourt, who is well known for his renewals of readings of the pre-Classical repertoire and an acclaimed master of Mozart interpretation, presented 'his' Requiem in 1981. He used period instruments and a cast of singers experienced in authentic performance practice to introduce a new version of the orchestration. This new orchestration was prepared in 1972 and received its Viennese premiere at this concert in the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein.

Natural trumpets, hand horns, an early 18th-century set of timpani and two basset-horns blended with the woodwinds and strings in a novel way and influenced the vocal aspect of the work, affecting the dynamics of the performance and even the choice of tempi.

Even after more than a quarter of a century, the listener can still be thrilled by the attention with which the soloists and members of the Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor react to these different sounds and to the often unfamiliar phrasing of the Concentus Musicus, whose players support the conductor’s interpretation with great commitment.

Live from the Musikverein, Vienna, 1981.

Bonus: Johann Sebastian Bach, Cantata “Komm, du süße Todesstunde” BWV 161