by Tom Hiddleston is widely known for his acting talents, bringing beloved characters like Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to life on the big screen. However, few people realize that Hiddleston is also an avid lover and appreciator of music. In multiple interviews over the years, he has spoken about impactful musical experiences that have shaped his worldview and moved him deeply. But the one performance he calls truly “life-changing” is the 2016 Proms concert of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, performed by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.
In an interview with The Guardian, Hiddleston described this performance of Britten’s 1962 anti-war composition as “so profoundly moving I can’t articulate it.” He shared that “it changed my life in a way that I didn’t know was possible” and that it “made me feel more connected to humanity than I’ve ever felt before.” For Hiddleston, who is usually private about his personal experiences, to articulate such effusive and emotional praise is a testament to how powerfully the music affected him.
So what exactly is Britten’s War Requiem, and why did this specific performance have such a monumental impact on Tom Hiddleston? Let’s explore the background of this legendary classical piece and what makes it so meaningful.
The History and Significance of Britten’s War Requiem
Benjamin Britten composed the War Requiem in 1962 for the consecration of the newly constructed Coventry Cathedral, built alongside the ruins of the old 14th century cathedral that was destroyed in a WWII bombing raid. The 90-minute requiem mass incorporated the traditional Latin texts with vividly expressive poems by Wilfred Owen, a World War I soldier who conveyed the gritty horrors of war through his writing.
By interweaving Owen’s graphic poetry detailing the realities of trench warfare with the timeless Latin mass for the dead, Britten created a paradoxical juxtaposition – simultaneously detached yet emotionally affecting, ancient yet modern, divine yet human. The War Requiem struck a nerve upon its premiere, establishing Britten as one of the preeminent composers of his generation. It has since become one of the most significant anti-war statements in classical music history.
Beyond just a cathartic artistic achievement, the War Requiem also held distinctive personal meaning for Britten. A committed pacifist, he was granted conscientious objector status during WWII, during which he also collaborated with poet W.H. Auden on experimental pacifist documentaries. Auden wrote the poem “Anthem for St. Cecilia’s Day” specifically for Britten’s setting in his 1943 choral work A Ceremony of Carols.
So Britten’s decision to set Wilfred Owen’s poetry in the War Requiem reflects his own deep-seated abhorrence of war’s destruction. The War Requiem allowed him to mourn those lost to both world wars while directly speaking out against the senselessness of violence through Owen’s words.
Why the 2016 Proms Performance Was Unforgettable
While Britten’s War Requiem has been performed frequently since its premiere, the 2016 Royal Albert Hall production at the Proms stood out as an exceptionally powerful presentation.
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, delivered impeccable technical mastery in navigating Britten’s challenging, discordant score. The orchestra deftly balanced conveying the chaos of war while upholding the profoundly beautiful, elegiac quality of the Latin mass.
Adding further depth was the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela – one of the world’s top youth orchestras, with an average age under 25. This provided an illuminating contrast, almost acting as the embodiment of the promise of the next generation. Their fresh, idealistic energy amplified the requiem’s cries for hope.
Rattle took advantage of the Proms’ vast space to use distance and acoustics to haunting effect. With the orchestras separated, the diverging sounds eerily evoked the omnipresence of war across lands and time. Soloists placed apart and an off-stage boys’ choir added to the sense of pervasive tragedy.
Critics praised the performance as utterly transfixing. Reviewer Fiona Maddocks described being “pinned to the seat with musical safe-conduct passes permitting short breaks before being returned to the fray.” For Tom Hiddleston, this combination of peerless artistry and technical mastery resulted in an experience that shook him to his core.
Why War Requiem Resonated So Personally with Hiddleston
While the excellence of the orchestras under Rattle’s direction elevated the 2016 War Requiem performance, it seems that the content of the piece struck an exceptionally personal chord with Tom Hiddleston. There are a few probable reasons why this anti-war composition impacted him so profoundly:
Powerful message against violence – As mentioned, Britten’s War Requiem is fundamentally a statement advocating for peace in the face of militarism and bloodshed. Having played many roles portraying the impacts of violence – such as Jonathan Pine in The Night Manager negotiating warlords, or his PTSD-afflicted character in Crimson Peak – Hiddleston is sensitive to anti-violence themes.
Connection to humanity – In weaving together Latin mass texts with Owen’s poetry, the War Requiem highlights our shared mortality and humanity. Themes of loss, mourning, spirituality, and hope are universal. Hiddleston’s comment about the music making him “feel more connected to humanity” reflects how deeply it tapped into these fundamental human experiences.
Time for reflection – In multiple interviews, Hiddleston has mentioned going through an extended period of self-reflection around the time of this concert. Having taken a break from acting, he had space for the War Requiem’s messages about human fragility and timelessness to fully resonate at a personal level.
Shift in perspective – Shortly after this performance, Hiddleston reportedly went through a difficult breakup with singer Taylor Swift. The War Requiem’s solemn contemplation on death, remembrance, and healing perhaps took on added meaning during this transition.
Overall, it’s evident that the gravitas and emotional weight of Britten’s musical message aligned perfectly with where Tom Hiddleston was at internally when he experienced this unforgettable live performance. It seems no wonder that Hiddleston found it so staggering, life-affirming, and perspectiveshifting.
The Lasting Impact on Tom Hiddleston
For Tom Hiddleston, the 2016 War Requiem clearly left an indelible mark on his soul. Since then, he references it as one of the most significant events of his life. In later interviews, he even recited excerpts from Wilfred Owen’s poems that had particularly struck him, like “Move him into the sun” and “What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?”
Hiddleston has said this performance renewed his sense of hope, reaffirming his belief in working to make the world a better place through art and humanity. It seems to have refocused him on creating meaningful work that uplifts and connects people.
Following the concert, he chose projects with weighty themes – like his acclaimed Broadway run in Betrayal examining broken trust, and the biopic series The Essex Serpent tackling faith, science, and superstition. He also became significantly more vocal about social causes like honoring frontline COVID-19 workers and supporting relief efforts in war-torn Ukraine.
For any artist, having a work of art affect you at your innermost core is incredibly precious. Tom Hiddleston’s experience with the Berlin Philharmonic and Simon Bolivar Orchestras’ rendition of Britten’s War Requiem clearly rose to that level of profundity for him. Though difficult to fully articulate, it expanded his self-knowledge and reinvigorated his dedication to humanity-elevating creative pursuits. Truly an extraordinary gift that he will likely carry with him for the rest of his acclaimed career.
