A mass written by Van der Graaf Generator founding member Decide Smith 50 years in the past is to be carried out dwell for the very first time.
Smith’s Requiem Mass will obtain its dwell premiere on the Holy Sepulchre Church, Holborn in London on July 12.
Smith mentioned the challenge when he was the topic of The Prog Interview in difficulty 159. The mass is a 30-minute piece – which options a big choir plus baritone soloist, an eight-piece brass part, pipe organ, and a twin-guitar rock band – in 1973. However as a self-confessed “musical primitive”, it wasn’t till 1975 {that a} rating was produced, with Smith verbally dictating the music notice by notice to arranger Michael Model.
“I can’t learn or write music, however I’ve at all times been in a position to think about fairly difficult music in my head, and in appreciable element,” says Smith. “The hefty scale and strict necessities of making a brand new musical setting for the Roman Requiem Mass actually appealed to me, as a result of the Mass of the Lifeless options the medieval poem Dies Irae, rock’n’roll lyrics of the very best order.”
The piece was ultimately resurrected and recorded in 2016, having been revised by composer and music professor Ricardo Odriozola, and was carried out by David Temple MBE, and featured the Crouch Finish Competition Refrain, one of many UK’s main symphonic choirs, who’ve beforehand labored with Robert Fripp and David Bedford.
It should now be carried out by Temple and the Hertfordshire Refrain, alongside brass, pipe organ and rock band accompaniment.
You’ll be able to hearken to the Mass right here.