Mozart/Lichtenthal Requiem Transcribed for string quartet in 1802 by Peter Lichtenthal, and touched up by these players, the Mozart Requiem makes for an unexpectedly satisfactory listening experience without voices. Concerning a comparable project, Haydn complained about the difficulty of composing eight consecutive slow movements to depict The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross that would not "fatigue the listener". And that was about his first version, for full orchestra... Similar misgivings preceded hearing this Mozart transcription, but they were quickly allayed, partly becuase there aare fast and dramatic movements amongst the twelve pieces here, which make an inspiring 'new' string quartet which warrants a place in the chamber music repertoire. It is well recorded (Lyon, 2008) and supplemented by a persuasive account of this unfinished masterwork from Mozart's last year. Peter Grahame Woolf |