Beauty and serenity in a perfect setting
A concert by the Cambridge Philharmonic Society will heal the spirit and cleanse the soul
In the beautiful surroundings and acoustic of the chapel of St John’s College, Cambridge, the Cambridge Philharmonic Society Chorus will perform one of the twentieth-century’s most affecting choral works, the Requiem of Maurice Duruflé, on Saturday 3rd May 2008. The concert also includes one of the great glories of the organ repertoire.
Maurice Duruflé is one of those composers who wrote very few pieces. This was partly because he was an absolute perfectionist, and partly because, as an organ virtuoso, he was fully occupied with the life of a popular soloist, one of the very best ever. But in the concert given by the Cambridge Philharmonic Society, the composer’s two finest works will be given a rapturous and compelling performance.
The evening starts with Duruflé’s organ work Prelude et fugue sur le nom d’Alain – a beautiful composition which builds to an emotionally-charged and heart-warming conclusion. The piece even appears on YouTube where filmed performances elicit comments such as “Wow, beautiful. I love this piece of music, don't know why it isn't played more by organists,” and “one of the most gorgeous and powerful pieces ever written for organ.” At St John’s, this jewel in the organist’s crown will be performed by rising musical star James Sherlock, previously an organ scholar at Trinity College Cambridge, a gold medallist at the Marcello Galanti International Organ competition, and a winner of the Edith Leigh piano prize. Now assistant Organist at St Bartholomew the Great, and a regular performer and conductor all over the world, James is the perfect interpreter of this compelling organ piece.
For the main work of the evening James Sherlock and the Philharmonic’s principal cellist Vivian Williams will accompany soloists George Humphreys and Kate Symonds-Joy together with the Philharmonic chorus in a performance of Durufle’s best-known work, conducted by chorus master Chris Whitton. As with Gabriel Faure’s famous composition there is no hellfire and damnation in the Duruflé Requiem. Instead, this beautiful and spiritual work is imbued with a deep and all-encompassing optimism, expressed in a mood of breathtaking tranquillity. A blend of plainsong and harmonic delicacy are used to stunning affect as when, in the physical and emotional centre of the work, the mezzo-soprano is accompanied by solo cello for the almost painfully beautiful setting of the Pie Jesu. And at the end of the evening, when the choral harmonies which seem to have emerged from some distant Avalon finally evaporate into a timeless infinity, the audience is almost guaranteed the affirming peace of reconciliation and acceptance. Who on earth (or in Heaven, if it comes to that) would want to miss such an evening!
The concert starts at 8.00 pm. Tickets (£10, £5 for children and students on the door) from the Cambridge Arts Theatre Box Office (01223 503333), online at www.cam-phil.org.uk, or at the door.
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