15th Movement: Libera me, Domine
The fifteenth movement of the Requiem, Libera me, Domine is accompanied by a video tour of the Catedral de la Almudena in Madrid, Spain.
Libera me, Domine, like each of the composition's movements, was inspired by the beauty and grandeur of some of the world's great cathedrals and churches.
The Text In its ecclesiastical setting, Libera me, Domine (Deliver me, O Lord) was traditionally sung next to the coffin after the Requiem and before burial. Faure’s Libera me is among the best-known (and loved) versions in today’s repertoire.
The Composition With horns and rapid arpeggios in the strings, in the short Libera me, Domine I wanted to suggests a cry for mercy in anticipation of the last judgement. The movement is scored for a chorus of tenors and basses; strings (2 violins, viola, cellos, double basses, and harp); woodwinds (3 clarinets, 3 bassoons); brass (2 French horns, 3 tubas); a 40-inch Ludwig bass drum; and timpani.
Latin Text English Translation
Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death
in die il la tremenda on that awful day
quando coeli movendi sunt et terra, when the heavens and earth shall be shaken
dum veneris judicare sae cu lum per ignem. and Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.
Tremens factus sum ego et timeo, I am seized with fear and trembling,
dum discussion venerit at que venture ira: until the trial is at hand and the wrath to come:
quando coeli movendi sunt et terra. when the heavens and earth shall be shaken.
