Pamela Quist's Requiem for the People
Starting with an accompanied soprano solo, Requiem for the People developed into an intricate, six-movement form inspired by personal events combined with the public tragedy of September 11, 2001. “Requiem for the People addresses a range of universal spiritual thought and human emotion, and I intend for this work to have meaning for a diverse listening audience,” explains Dr. Quist. “Each movement contains a dedication to a different group of people whose lives and deaths have held great significance for us in varying ways.”
An accomplished composer and teacher, Dr. Quist describes the compositional process as “a bit like describing why one decided to give birth to a child. Some creations are dreamt of and planned—some just happen. Both kinds are blessings.” In addition to her work at SCU, Dr. Quist co-founded the Walden School, a summer school and music festival for young composers. She received her education at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, and in 1984, received a Doctoral degree in music composition from Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Quist’s compositions from recent years include Revival for guitarist, Bryce Dessner (2004); Ice Dance for Clogs (2003); Rune for cello and piano (2000); Caelestis formam gloriae, a choral work with string quartet commissioned for Transfiguration Sunday (1999); and Dyad for oboe/english horn and piano (1998). Her most performed work to date remains the 1996 solo piano work Homage.
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