Celtic Requiem

Infobox Album
Name = Celtic Requiem
Type = studio
Artist = John Tavener


Released = 1971
Recorded = 1970
Genre = Classical
Length = 41:57
Label = Apple
Producer = Michael Bremner
Reviews =
Last album = "The Whale"
This album = "Celtic Requiem"
Next album =

"Celtic Requiem (Requiem for Jenny Jones)" is a requiem by the English composer John Tavener, written in 1969. It is written for soprano, children's choir and orchestra.

Despite its title, the work is not actually a requiem for anyone in particular. Instead, it takes the rough format of a singing game for children. A character, Jenny Jones, is selected by the children who at one point dance around her to ward off evil spirits. According to the composer, this

though handed down to children, has its origin in a funeral rite in the lowlands of Scotland. [Liner notes to 1970 recording.]

The piece is in three sections which follow the traditional requiem: 'Requiem aeternam', 'Dies irae' and 'Requiescat in pace'.

It was premiered by the London Sinfonietta and chorus under David Atherton in August 1969. Shortly afterward the BBC recorded it with the soprano June Barton and the children of Little Missenden Village School and the composer playing the organ. These forces then recorded the work for Apple Records along with two other Tavener pieces: "Nomine Jesu" and "Coplas". The recording was released in 1970, and re-released as a CD (on SAPCOR 20) in 1993.

References