Duruflé’s Requiem and Fauré’s Requiem

The Durham Choral Society returns to Durham Cathedral for a performance of two monuments of French liturgical music, the Requiems by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) and Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986). Accompanied by the Cathedral’s exceptional great organ, these works will distinguish themselves through their disarming ethereality.

These two works depart from the traditional grandiose symphonic requiems of Verdi, Berlioz and Mozart, emphasising the humility of prayer in the face of death. Fauré’s Requiem features the famous Pie Jesu for solo soprano (a forerunner to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s!); Duruflé’s, meanwhile, unites ancient and modern inspirations, building on motifs from Gregorian chants. Both close with radiant hope for future eternal life, In Paradisum: “May Angels lead you into paradise, and […] may you have eternal rest.”

This concert will offer an outstanding opportunity to experience these fantastic works, bathed in the light from the Cathedral’s windows - an ideal setting for contemplation and musical inspiration.