Duruflé: Requiem – Salisbury Musical Society Concert

Duruflé Requiem; Vaughan Williams Toward the Unknown Region; Stanford Songs of the Sea

David Halls, conductor

Chelsea Opera Group

Naomi Boot (Mezzo-Soprano), Jolyon Loy (Baritone)

Salisbury Musical Society is delighted to perform Duruflé’s: Requiem which is…without question…one of the most beautiful and timeless pieces of sacred music of the 20th century.

This choral work is based primarily on Gregorian chant and specifically the traditional Latin Mass for the Dead. It is made up of nine short movements, each with its own character and together weave a journey through reflection, entreaty to quiet transcendence.

Duruflé’s Gregorian chant melodies with their rich impressionistic harmonies are joyous. This is a requiem with themes of comfort, hope and peace which might resonate in response to the relentless news of global conflicts and horrors of war.

The choir is at the heart of the performance: sometimes singing in perfect unison, with warm and blended voices; sometimes dividing into gentle, illuminating harmonies. The orchestra breathes with the choir, amplifying the chant-derived melodies, as the soloists come forth brilliantly from the choral texture.

Duruflé’s Requiem will soothe your soul, granting you time to pause, to enjoy moments of serenity and stillness.

This is a masterpiece of quiet intensity.

The choir will also perform Vaughan Williams: Toward the Unknown Region based on Walt Whitman’s poem.

The poem urges the reader to leave safety and certainty behind, and to venture fearlessly into the future.

The music is uplifting, energetic and bold, with its broad sweeping melodies giving the choir a powerful unified voice. There is a steady, driving pulse giving a sense of journey and momentum. The climax of the piece is exhilarating as the music moves forward, radiating purpose, optimism and adventure.

The final piece of music in the concert is Stanford’s: Songs of the Sea an exciting choral journey across the waters, with rousing melodies and rich harmonies. This music evokes the power, the drama as well as the beauty of the sea in a memorable soundscape.

This event is organised by Salisbury Musical Society and not by Salisbury Cathedral.
For ticketing and enquiries, please contact the organiser directly: www.salisburymusicalsociety.org.uk