The French composer Fauré’s requiem by the English conductor Colin Davis. I know Davis mostly through his works for opera. For years he was conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Not bad, considering at first he was allowed the conductor’s course at the Royal College of Music in London, because he did not play the piano (he played the clarinet).
An exquisite recording, though I always liked the David Willcocks version better. Now that I listened to this one more intently I stand corrected. There is much force in this performance, and at the same time Colin Davis manages to get a subtle and colourful sound from the orchestra. Truly worth a listen.