This requiem is remarkable for its sheer abundance of invention. Artfully extended choral fugues alternate with affirmative chordal harmony of laconic brevity; all varieties of polyphony are tried, up to eight-part harmony, and juxtaposed in thrilling contrast. Lotti by no means eschews the operatic gesture (see his six-part "Rex tremedae majestatis") and touches the heart with his cantabile "dolcezza" and tenderness in the arias and duets (with particular emphasis in the "Recordare, Jesu Pie" and "Lacrimosa"). The sonic range of the orchestra is augmented with many new tone colours by imaginative and somtimes idiosynchratic use of the various instruments (e.g. the combination with muted trumpet).
| Author: | Thomas Hengelbrock |