Instrumentation, Words and Structure
The Polish Requiem is scored for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and bass soloists, SATB mixed choirs, and an orchestra consisting of three flutes (third doubling piccolo), three oboes, three clarinets in B-flat, one bass clarinet, three bassoons, one contrabassoon; six horns in F, four trumpets in C, four trombones, one tuba; a percussion section consisting of timpani, three suspended cymbals, cymbals, 2 tam-tams, bass drum, snare drum, tenor drum, military snare drum, six tom-toms, five timbales, alto wood block, tubular bells, mass bell, church bells, ratchet, whip, glockenspiel, vibraphone, xylophone; and strings. Verlag: Schott Music. It is composed of seventeen movements, the duration is given by the publisher Schott as 108 minutes. The additional ciaccona is set for string orchestra and has also been published, performed and recorded separately.
The name of the work is similar to A German Requiem, composed of sections from the bible in German. But Penderecki followed the liturgical Latin of the Requiem (Mass for the deceased) and expanded it by the Trisagion in Polish, Święty Boże, a "supplication sung in Poland in moments of danger" that appears in a separate movement (Offertorium) and also in the Recordare. Penderecki changed the order slightly by moving Communion closer to the end and creating a Finale.
- I Introitus – choir
- II Kyrie – soloists, choir
- Sequence Dies irae
- III Dies irae – choir
- IV Tuba mirum – tenor
- V Mors stupedit – mezzo-soprano
- VI Quid sum miser
- VII Rex tremendae – bass, choir
- VIII Recordare Jesu pie – music from Święty Boże, all soloists
- IX Ingemisco tanquam reus – soloists, choir
- X Lacrimosa – soprano, female choir
- XI Sanctus – mezzo-soprano, choir, Benedictus – tenor, choir
- XII Ciaccona
- XIII Agnus Dei – choir a cappella
- XIV Communion Lux aeterna – choir
- XV Libera me, Domine – soprano, soloists, choir
- XVI Offertorium Święty Boże, święty mocny
- XVII Finale Libera animas – soloists, choir
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