A new CD and accompanying download is being released by the Bands of the Household Division to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of 'Cenotaph Requiem' which is to be released on Saturday 7th November will be donated for the benefit of Service Charities.

Universal Act of Remembrance

The composer is Lieutenant Colonel Simon Haw MBE, Commanding Officer, Bands of the Household Division, and was written in 2018 as a Universal Act of Remembrance and a reflection of Service to the Nation given by all soldiers, sailors and airmen in the face of adversity.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "It is dedicated to Her Majesty The Queen, and is intended as an Epitaph to all who served in the First World War, but the enduring nature of warfare is constant, therefore it should be regarded as a work for all time.

It includes number of choral texts from the Requiem Mass — 'Introit', 'Kyrie', 'Sanctus', 'Agnus Dei', 'Pie Jesu', 'In Paradisum' — to form an overarching Requiem structure, interspersed with five instrumental movements — 'Marne', 'Gallipoli', 'Jutland', 'Somme', 'Passchendaele' — which provide a chronological narrative of the First World War."

They added: "The choral and instrumental movements derive their thematic material from three motifs first presented in the 'Introit'.

These link the poignant, descriptive instrumental elements that portray the most appalling and heartfelt conditions endured by soldiers, sailors and airmen during the war, with moments of quiet reflection, solitude and prayer, found within the Latin text of the Requiem Mass."

Premiere

'Cenotaph Requiem' was given its world-premiere performance on 1st November 2018 in the Guards' Chapel at Wellington Barracks in London, performed, to an invited audience, by the Orchestra of the Household Division, Commonwealth Scholars' Choir and Commonwealth Children's Choir.

The recording was undertaken in 2019, and is now ready for release — available to purchase on CD or download from Saturday 7th November 2020 at noon.

'Cenotaph Requiem' was written in 2018 as a Universal Act of Remembrance and a reflection of Service to the Nation given by all soldiers, sailors and airmen in the face of adversity4BR

Preview

Previews of the music can be heard at:
Cenotaph Requiem Movements 2, 4 & 6

Movement 2 Kyrie
https://youtu.be/Cjig_dYD51Q

Movement 4 Sanctus
https://youtu.be/KjD8Lgr_Z6g

Movement 6 Jutland
https://youtu.be/C5WWBQK2tgQ