Brahms German Requiem -- Paavo Järvi

Brahms's German Requiem has been special to me for decades. When I was in my college choir in the early 1970s, we performed it and I felt as if I were already in heaven. The work is beautiful and comforting. And what we need on this 10th anniversary of 9/11 is beauty and comfort.

The performance directed by Paavo Järvi, which was one of your featured Albums of the Week, was the most moving I have heard. As a former church musician, I found myself captivated by this performance. It spoke directly to my soul.

If you can't play the whole work, please-please-PLEASE at least play the movement, "Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit" with Natalie Dessay as the soul/soprano soloist. This is the ultimate gem. I know German, and yet this performance changed my translation (for the better), giving me a deeper understanding of the text. It gave me an "Aha!" moment. I was immediately transported.

I can think of no better tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11. As Brahms makes us incredibly aware, their souls are at rest.

Bonnie Gustafsson