Requiem aeternam

Basil Harwood (1859-1949) was born on 11 April 1859. He went up to Charterhouse in 1874 and left in 1876 having won an Exhibition to Trinity College, Oxford where he initially studied Classics and Modern History. He then studied for a further two years, 1881–1882, at the Leipzig Conservatory under Carl Reinecke and Salomon Jadassohn.

In 1883, he became organist of St. Barnabas Church, Pimlico completing his Sonata in C# Minor here in 1885. After this success, he then moved to Ely Cathedral in 1887 where he wrote the bulk of Dithyramb, possibly his greatest organ work. His final appointment was as organist at Christ Church, Oxford and as precentor of Keble College, Oxford from 1892 to 1909. He retired early at 50 (in 1909) but continued to compose prolifically. His organ works are very significant, and the "blackness" of his scores has sometimes had him referred to as the "English Reger".

"Requiem aeternam", Op. 15, No. 5 was published in 1903, and is a remarkable work. It is the combination of a dirge, a cortege, a liturgically complete Introit for the Requiem Mass, and a lament. The effect is made largely by the almost continuous "march" of the bass, and the subtle addition and subtraction of stops. In the gloomy key of E-flat minor, it is highly chromatic, and starts at a modest volume on the diapasons before building to a tremendous but brief climax. This is followed by the plainsong introit of the Mass, played largely on the diapasons. A return to the ideas of the first section build up to an even more impressive climax. Unlike many such pieces, the mood is not "relieved" at the end by the transition to a more peaceful final section in the major. Rather, this work ends in the most heart-wrenching way, by a sweet, yet sobbing melody played on the Swell Oboe and accompanied by the Choir Dulciana. A low E-flat in the pedal "tolls" the beat, almost the funeral bell. The piece ends ppp with only the softest 16' and 32' stops on a long E-flat.