Requiem for soloists, choir, and orchestra, and other works
On Eternity Sunday—also known as All Souls’ Sunday—which also marks the end of the church year, we commemorate all the departed. In keeping with the occasion, Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, Op. 9, will be performed on November 21 at St. Paul’s Church, alongside other works. He was one of the outstanding representatives of the French organ school founded by César Franck and Charles-Marie Widor. His most famous work, the Requiem, was composed between 1941 and 1947, drawing inspiration from the tradition of Gregorian chant, the art of the old masters, and the developments of the 20th century. The ancient texts are rendered in a musical language of incredibly beautiful colors and motifs. The “Kyrie,” for example, is structured like a Bach double fugue. The heartfelt and tender plea “Pie Jesu” stands at the center of the composition until the masterpiece ultimately fades away, floating in the ethereal-sounding movement “in paradisum.” Duruflé places a lyrical, life-affirming, and deeply comforting character at the heart of his expressive music.
In contrast, the Schwerin Vocal Ensemble performs complex, moving motets by Johannes Brahms, Frank Martin, and Olivier Messiaen.
Performers:
Marian Dijkhuizen, mezzo-soprano
Julian Redlin, bass
Schwerin Vocal Ensemble
Concerto Celestino Orchestra
Christian Domke, conductor
Tickets: €30 (reserved seating) // €25 / €15 (reduced rate)
Advance ticket sales will be announced in due time.
