Organization

Conductor

David Hill

organ

Philip Scriven

Mezzo-soprano

Katherine Gregory

The Bach Choir

Au printemps - Duruflé Requiem

London

United Kingdom

Holy Trinity Church

Au printemps - Duruflé Requiem: Requiem (+5 More)

Public

Requiem, Op 9

Cantique de Jean Racine, Op.11

Four motets on Gregorian themes Op. 10

Cantique

Duruflé - Choral variations on 'Veni Creator' op. 4

Messe solennelle op. 67

Approved

Programme
Repertoire:
Duruflé - Requiem
Fauré - Cantique de Jean Racine
Duruflé - Quatre motets
N Boulanger - Cantique
Duruflé - Choral variations on 'Veni Creator'
Langlais - Messe solennelle
Director:
David Hill
Conductor:
David Hill
Performers:
Organ - Philip Scriven
Mezzo-soprano - Katherine Gregory
Au Printemps brings audiences closer than ever to The Bach Choir in the gorgeous setting of Holy Trinity Sloane Square. The second concert in the Into Spring series curates a tranquil and lush programme of French works, while the choir and organ orchestration showcases the range and intimacy of a choir usually known for performing with the world’s best orchestras.

The ancient world of Gregorian melodies is combined with a harmonic setting typical of 20th Century France in Duruflé’s Requiem. The Requiem blends different styles to achieve an overall sense of peace not usually found in other Requiem settings Duruflé’s Quatre motets further build on this modernisation of ancient traditions.

Cantique de Jean Racine was composed by Fauré at the age of twenty when he was attending Paris’ École Niedermeyer. It sets text from French playwright Jean Racine alongside rich, lush choral writing, and will be recognised by some audiences from its appearance in the motion picture Babe. On the other side of La Seine, Faure’s harmony student N Boulanger composed her own Cantique a little over 40 years later – a concise, evocative and disarmingly simple work.

Internationally renowned organist Philip Scriven, described as ‘a joy to listen to’ by Gramophone, is given a spotlight in Duruflé’s Choral varié sur le thème du ‘Veni Creator’. Langlais’ Messe somenelle also features – a piece so considered that the organist thought about it for 12 years before composing it in 13 days.

As the fog of winter clears, Au Printemps brings The Bach Choir’s subtle and delicate side into focus.

English

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Crew