A "Human requiem" as Brahms liked to call it, Ein Deutsches Requiem breaks with tradition, using inspiration from the Protestant Bible of Luther. Brahms wrote the text himself, giving more importance to the living. A remarkable piece of sacred music, this work was composed soon after the genius of Hamburg's mother passed away (1865).

Two swedish choirs are gathered for this performance at the Musikverein in Vienna: the Swedish Radio Choir and the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir. Barbara Bonney's crystal-clear voice and Bryn Terfel's warm tone reply to the Berliner Philharmoniker, under the direction of Claudio Abbado, and enhance the emotion of this timeless masterpiece.