LACRIMOSA DIES ILLA

SYNOPSIS

Release in 2021

Boris Pigovat's "Holocaust Requiem" was first performed in Kiev in 2001, but only entered into the mainstream of the international musical community after its release on the Atoll Record label in 2011, the same year it was performed at the International Viola Congress in Wuerzberg, both the CD and the German premiere featuring violist Donald Maurice.

The 65-minute documentary film, "Lacrimosa Dies Illa", tells the story of the Babi Yar massacre in 1941, at which the composer's grandparents and aunt were executed. Narrated by Ukrainian violist Valentyna Bugrak, on location at Babi Yar, the story is interspersed with excerpts from the Requiem featuring violist Xi Liu, with the New Zealand School of Music Orchestra, conducted by Martin Riseley. 

Boris Pigovat speaks about each of the four movements, giving insight into the structure and inspiration behind the music. 

Both the speakers and the musical excerpts convey the horror of the events at Babi Yar and in the Holocaust in general, harrowing at times but honest and direct, and in the final minutes focus on hope and reconciliation.