DURUFLÉ REQUIEM

This all-French programme brings together two of the most imposing choral works from twentieth-century France: Duruflé’s sublime Requiem and Francis Poulenc’s searing Figure Humaine.

Clearly referring to Fauré’s example, Durufle’s Requiem is a tour-de-force; from the use of Gregorian chants to generate almost all the thematic material to the ease with which Duruflé builds beguiling textures around these chants, and the virtuosity of the organ part.

For this concert we are thrilled to be joined by award-winning organist-composer Calvin Bowman.

Francis Poulenc regarded Figure Humaine, a cantata for two six-part choirs written during the Nazi occupation of France, as one of his finest works. Using a selection of poems by Paul Eluard, including the celebrated ‘Liberté’, Figure Humaine expresses ‘the suffering of the people of France’; and the ‘hope of the final triumph over tyranny’.

This programme also features Fauré’s Messe Basse, in a transcription for a cappella choir, and Messiaen’s spellbinding O sacrum convivium.

This will be a magical afternoon of music and we look forward to seeing you there.

Gloriana Chamber Choir directed by Andrew Raiskums

Calvin Bowman, organist

2:30pm Sunday September 23

Sacred Heart Church, Carlton

Tickets: $35

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=335646&