The German Requiem by Johannes Brahms is one of the most-performed oratorical works of all times in its original setting for soloists, choir and orchestra. Increasingly, there are also performances with a reduced scoring, for example the arrangement by Heinrich Poos, who gives the choir an accompaniment of two pianos and timpani. The result is a lucid setting that brings forth the musical lines of the orchestra more clearly and opens up new perspectives on this work. The arrangement is suitable for church choirs and all medium-sized choirs which have no orchestra at hand for performances as well as chamber choirs and vocal ensembles who want to perform the work in a reduced scoring.

The new edition, occasioned by the publication of the orchestral edition based on the new Brahms complete edition (PB/OB 16109), makes the adaptation by Heinrich Poos available in an easily legible, modern engraving for the first time. The number of pages was reduced here, too, easing up the performance for the pianists who are playing from the score. The choir uses the piano vocal score of the original (EB 9362), a part for the timpani is included in the score.

Audio samples: WDR Rundfunkchor Köln, Simone Nold (Soprano), Ian Pace and Mark Knoop (Piano), cond. Rupert Huber (WDR/NEOS, 2008)