Faure ‘Requiem’ and ‘Cantique de Jean Racine’
Concert details
Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem is one of the most well-loved works in the choral repertoire and we are delighted to feature it in this year’s Autumn Concert. Fauré’s homage to the dead was composed between the deaths of his father, in 1885, and his mother, two-and-a-half years later. Given the circumstances, the work seems remarkably restrained, devout and – at times – uplifting. Fauré saw death as eternal rest, when the soul is at peace, surrounded by the ‘light’ of an gracious and forgiving God, a view which is perfectly reflected in his setting of the Requiem.
The text of the Cantique de Jean Racine, ‘Verbe égal au Tres-Haut’, is a French paraphrase by Jean Racine of a Latin hymn from the breviary for Matins. It was set by Fauré – then aged only 19 – for a composition competition at the École Niedermeyer de Paris, and it won him the first prize. The style shows similarities with his Requiem, and we are following a long-established tradition in performing the two works together.
Our Organist is Iestyn Evans, currently Director of Music at St James’s, Spanish Place, and of St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate in the City. We are delighted to welcome back Orlando Barton Hodges as our Baritone Soloist, and he will be joined by young Soprano Nicole Ng. We are delighted that Orlando and Nicole will each be singing a short solo item as well as performing a duet.
Tickets for this concert cost £10, to include a complimentary glass of wine (or non-alcoholic alternative) at the end of the concert, and are available from Choir Members, by calling our Secretary on 01843 602332 (please note change to usual contact number) or at the door. Online purchase is now also possible using Paypal – see below. Please note that an admin/postage charge of £1 per booking will be added to Paypal transactions.
Book tickets
If you have any problems booking online please contact us.Tickes for this event are not yet available.