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Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) is a large-scale choral work written by Johannes Brahms in 1868; it is Brahms' Op. 45.
In contrast to the usual requiem, which is in Latin, Ein deutsches Requiem is based on German texts from Martin Luther's bible. It does not have the formal liturgical structure of a requiem, but is rather a meditation on mortality. The traditional liturgy consists of prayers for the dead; in Ein deutsches Requiem the emphasis is on comforting the living.
It is considered one of Brahms' major works—requiring about seventy minutes to perform, it is his longest single composition—and an important piece of Western classical music.
The work is scored for two solo vocalists (soprano and baritone), orchestra, chorus and organ ad lib and is in seven movements:
- Selig sind, die da Leid tragen (Blessed are they that mourn)
- Denn alles Fleisch, es ist wie Gras (For all flesh is as grass)
- Herr, lehre doch mich (Lord, make me to know mine end)
- Wie lieblich sind Deine Wohnungen (How amiable are thy tabernacles)
- Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit (And ye now therefore have sorrow)
- Denn wir haben hie keine bleibende Statt (For here have we no continuing city)
- Selig sind die Toten, die in dem Herrn sterben (Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord)
The first complete performance was in 1869. Brahms published a piano arrangement of the work for four hands for performance in London some years later.
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