Give them Rest (Ein Requiem für die Orgel), Op.75, No. 1

Otto Valdemar Malling (1 June 1848 – 5 October 1915) was a Danish composer, from 1900 the cathedral organist in Copenhagen and from 1889 professor, then from 1899 Director of the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen. He was born in Copenhagen, and became a pupil of Niels Gade and Johan Peter Emilius Hartmann. in his later career he mainly composed organ works and vocal music, but he also wrote a significant amount of orchestral music, as well a substantial cantata "Der hellige Land", and a symphony in D minor. He was a co-founder and vice-conductor of The Concert Society, Copenhagen (1874), supporting himself as organist at various Copenhagen churches. His scores of organ music brought Malling some reputation abroad, but after his death he was soon forgotten in his native country.

"Ein Requiem für die Orgel, Op. 75" was published by William Hansen in 1902. It is dedicated to Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921).

Malling describes these works as "Mood Pictures," and this is exactly what they are.

The work consists of six movements, each dealing with passages from the Scriptures. It is not a "traditional requiem" as such, as it does not follow the format of the Requiem Mass.

The first movement, "Give them Rest," is inspired by the the Gospel of St. Matthew, 11. 26: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

In the work, we can hear the endless mass of humanity, struggling and crawling forward, seeking to leave behind their struggles in hope of reaching the promised Rest. Like all of Malling's works, the language is dramatic, highly personal, and seems to be truly built upon the composer's strong personal faith.

I will be uploading one movement per day as we approach both All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day. Hopefully, I'll be able to have special uploads on both of these individual days.

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of Otto Malling and one of Camille Saint-Saëns.

Tomorrow: "Day of anger."