View the flyer for this concert here  BMC 2199 Spring Flyer—AW

Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem was commissioned in 1947, and written in memory of the composer’s father. Duruflé created his own uniquely beautiful and mysterious soundworld, which combines memories of Gregorian chant with evanescent organ effects and haunting harmonies. Even more than Fauré’s Requiem, which partly inspired Duruflé, it is a calm, meditative and consolatory work.

We have chosen to combine Duruflé’s Requiem with a sequence of works appropriate to the centenary of the start of the First World War, by British, French and German composers.

Marie Elliot – mezzo- soprano

William Berger – baritone

Steven Hollas – Organ and Piano

Gavin Carr – Conductor

Edward Elgar:      The Spirit of the Lord is upon us (from The Apostles)    Choir and Organ                            

Arthur Somervell:      On the idle hill of summer        Baritone, Piano

Wilfred Owen:        Anthem for doomed youth     recitation

Gustav Mahler:      Revelge   Baritone, Piano                    

Francis Poulenc:    Bleuet      Mezzo, Piano 

Gerald Finzi:    Channel Firing       Baritone, Piano

Francis Poulenc:     C.    Mezzo, Piano

George Butterworth:        The lads in their hundreds      Baritone, Piano

John Ireland:       Greater love hath no man     Choir, Baritone solo, Organ  

Maurice Durufle:   Requiem      Choir, Mezzo and Baritone Soloists, Organ