The fully-orchestrated version commands substantial instrumental & vocal forces and is a barrier for many choirs, not only for cost reasons but also simply for the enormous physical space requirements, restricting available capacity to a limited number of expensive venues. Recognising this, the Bach Choir under David Hill commissioned composer Richard Blackford to re-work Verdi's Requiem into a reduced-orchestration version that would be much more accessible to a greater number of choirs. Taking a page out of Brahms' 'London' version of his Ein Deutsches Requiem for two pianos, Blackford has produced a very intelligent version also using two pianos but with the addition of organ and percussion. Every note in Verdi's original score is incorporated in one of the instrumental parts and there are no reductions in any of the vocal lines either, meaning choirs can sing from the existing well-established published choral scores already out there without having to acquire new editions.
Wimbledon Choral is honoured that this will be the first live concert performance of this adaptation of the Verdi Requiem.
The lineup of soloists and players for this performance is astonishing and will add that extra layer of polish for a special night out.
