Requiem [s]

Pascal Dusapin composed his Requiem, subtitled '...s', in the late 1990s as a contemporary exploration of the traditional liturgical form. Commissioned by the French Ministry of Culture and first performed in 1997, the work departs from conventional Requiem structures by focusing on the intimate, often fractured nature of grief and silence. It reflects the post-tonal aesthetic Dusapin established in the late 20th century, characterized by dense, atmospheric textures that push the boundaries of vocal and instrumental interaction.

This recording, released by the label Montaigne in 2000, features the Chœur de chambre Accentus under the direction of Laurence Equilbey, who was instrumental in championing Dusapin's vocal works during this era. The collaboration between the composer and the ensemble is widely regarded as a definitive interpretation, capturing the precise, haunting quality of the score. Critics at the time praised the recording for its technical clarity and for effectively conveying the meditative, non-linear progression that defines Dusapin's approach to the sacred genre.