Sven Helbig's Requiem A

Sven Helbig’s Requiem A celebrates its UK premiere at Central Hall Westminster on October 4, 2025, featuring world-renowned bass René Pape, the London Contemporary Orchestra, and four of Europe’s finest choirs. 

On October 4, 2025, Central Hall Westminster in London – the historic site of the first United Nations meeting – will host the UK premiere of Requiem A by celebrated German composer Sven Helbig, recently released on the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label. The work, a profound meditation on memory, grief, and renewal, will be performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra, joined by four leading European choirs: the Dresdner Kreuzchor, Trinity Boys Choir, Pozna? Boys’ Choir, and La Maîtrise de Garçons de Colmar, under the baton of Martin Lehmann. Renowned bass René Pape, acclaimed for his performances with the Berlin State Opera and New York’s Metropolitan Opera, will appear as the soloist. The evening will also feature live visuals by Icelandic artist Máni M. Sigfusson, creating a powerful and immersive experience of music, light, and reflection. 

REQUIEM A blends classical orchestration, choral tradition, and electronics, resulting in a work that is both contemporary and timeless. Inspired by Helbig’s personal reflections on history, human resilience, and conversations with his daughter, Ida, the composition meditates on the possibility of new beginnings. The Requiem’s nine movements, including bass arias performed by René Pape, guide the listener on an emotional journey from collective memory to intimate personal reflection. Helbig explains that in his pieces, classical forms stand alongside modern elements, “silently acknowledging the layers of history embedded in the place.” This architectural metaphor informs his compositional approach: repetition, slow harmonic developments, and vocal invocations mirror ritual gestures, creating a shared, almost liturgical space for performers and audience alike. As Gramophone writes, “Helbig creates a sound world that looks to the models of Britten, Verdi, Brahms and Mozart, while the Dresdner Kreuzchor provide a sense of collective.” The work has received wide acclaim: Rolling Stone described it as an “exceptionally moving work – an extraordinary walk between genres,” highlighting Helbig’s ability to bridge tradition and innovation. 

“Never before has one of my concerts carried such intensity – on a personal, artistic, and political level. I began Requiem A in a state of deep disillusionment and, thanks to my daughter, brought it to completion with renewed hope. To now share this work in London alongside such outstanding artists is profoundly meaningful to me,” says Sven Helbig. Tickets for the London premiere are available now, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience one of Europe’s most innovative contemporary composers at the height of his creative powers in a truly unforgettable evening of music and reflection.