Duruflé Requiem - Trinity Cambridge - Filmed in Paris - Released on Ash Wednesday

[Keraulophone]

Trailer - https://fb.watch/iP1cN_mE-e/

"This Requiem is... intended to convey the feelings of human beings faced with their terrifying, inexplicable or comforting fates." - Maurice Duruflé

The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, directed by Stephen Layton
Baritone: Florian Störtz | Mezzo-soprano: Katherine Gregory
Organ: Harrison Cole | Cello: Myrtille Hetzel

A film by Andrew Staples and Classical Films made in Église Saint-Eustache, Paris, July 2022

Releasing on Facebook and on our YouTube channel, Wednesday 22 February 2023, 6pm UK time.

[smittims]

Thanks. I often think there's a sort of pyramid, a relatively small number of people who prefer Faure's Requiem to Verdi's, and a smaller still number who prefer Durufle's to Faure's: it is indeed a most refined and contemplative work.

[Keraulophone]

I often think there's a sort of pyramid, a relatively small number of people who prefer Fauré's Requiem to Verdi's, and a smaller still number who prefer Duruflé's to Faure's: it is indeed a most refined and contemplative work.

The world seems to be in need of Requiems these days. Only recently, I highlighted Truro Cathedral Choir's new recording of Russell Pascoe's Secular Requiem with the BBC NOW and an Editor's Choice in Gramophone. My favourite of all has to be the consoling A German Requiem of Brahms, setting texts from the Lutheran Bible and omitting the Last Judgement. The Requiems of Fauré and Duruflé have a certain affinity with one another, although it is the latter's embellishment of Gregorian plainchant which, for me, elevates it to a special place, especially when sung liturgically (as in the cathedral every year).
.

[mopsus]

The Duruflé is in my experience a favourite piece to take on foreign choir tours, as it sounds dramatic even with just organ accompaniment.

[oddoneout]

Thanks. I often think there's a sort of pyramid, a relatively small number of people who prefer Faure's Requiem to Verdi's, and a smaller still number who prefer Durufle's to Faure's: it is indeed a most refined and contemplative work.

Horses for courses as far as I'm concerned, I like them all, but they fulfill different purposes. I was lucky enough to play and then sing in the Verdi Requiem more than once and thoroughly enjoy the theatricality and opportunities to let rip. The Faure I played several times before singing and enjoy it for the jammy viola lines and the gentler overall approach, and the evident involvement of audiences during performances; it certainly reaches deep into listeners' emotions. The Durufle I know less well - never played it and have only sung it twice. I do have a CD though which gets aired occasionally and it is the one that probably gives me most satisfaction as a personal and private experience.
Something that still surprises me is how divisive the Faure can be, with some loving it and others never wanting to hear, let alone perform, it. Not something I remember from years ago - perhaps fallout from Charlotte Church and CFM over exposure since?

[smittims]

Yes, I think it's even an unusual piece in Faure's output, if one sets it alongside his chamber music and songs.

[jonfan]

Really looking forward to this, but one of the oddest trailers!?
I’ve sung in all the big names’ Requiems - Verdi, Berlioz, Britten, Brahms, Dvorak, Mozart, but this one approaches heaven like no other, either as a performer or a listener.

[smittims]

Yes, it certainly wouldn't have encouraged me to watch if I didn't already love Durufle's Requiem. And was that really someone picking his nose about half-way through?

[ardcarp]

Thanks for the heads-up, K. I look forward to it. Wednesday looks like a bit of a musical feast with John's as well!

On a couple of occasions I've done the Durufle without a mezzo soloist. The Pie Jesu sounds incredible sung (a) by all the sops and altos...assuming they blend and (b) especially by boy trebles. There is something special about the low register of trebles, providing they're not forcing it.

[Keraulophone]

(b) especially by boy trebles. There is something special about the low register of trebles, providing they're not forcing it.

That's how we usually do it in the context of a full Requiem Mass. I, too, love that low treble sonority.

On Wed at 6pm you'll hear a 20yo mezzo soloist who will also sing the Queen of the Night this week in the Cambridge Univ Opera Soc main production of The Magic Flute. (Vocal range usually narrows with age.)
,

[Petrushka]

That's how we usually do it in the context of a full Requiem Mass. I, too, love that low treble sonority.

On Wed at 6pm you'll hear a 20yo mezzo soloist who will also sing the Queen of the Night this week in the Cambridge Univ Opera Soc main production of The Magic Flute. (Vocal range usually narrows with age.)
,

Well done, Katherine!

[Keraulophone]

Well done, Katherine!

We haven't heard it yet!

[Pulcinella]

The Duruflé is in my experience a favourite piece to take on foreign choir tours, as it sounds dramatic even with just organ accompaniment.

It was the Sanctus from the St John's recording with organ that got me hooked when it was played on Record Review when it got released.

[Keraulophone]

the St John's recording with organ

After hearing the St John's/Stephen Cleobury/George Guest LP (Argo), the composer wrote to GG suggesting that the (renowned) seven basses of St John's sounded so good that he would like to hear them sing the bass solos tutti!
.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Really looking forward to this, but one of the oddest trailers!?
I’ve sung in all the big names’ Requiems - Verdi, Berlioz, Britten, Brahms, Dvorak, Mozart, but this one approaches heaven like no other, either as a performer or a listener.

Indeed. Has to be a candidate for the worst trail I’ve ever seen. Come on guys it’s not that hard compared to making the film.