Deux Requiems

Monday. April 13, 2015 at 7 PM

Deux Requiems

Musica Sacra Cantorum Chorus

Church of the Redeemer - Episcopal

222 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota

un petit Requiem, Op. 48 by Gabriel Fauré

Tsunami Requiem by Chris Williams

There is no more beautifully meditative or calming musical setting of the

Requiem Mass than that of Gabriel Fauré. Interestingly, Fauré appears to have

written his Requiem for purely personal fulfillment, not as a memorial for a

devastating event or tragic personal loss. Most often performed is the large scale

orchestral version which was created by Fauré in 1899. However, that version is

an elaboration on the original composition of 1887. In fact, his original was two

movements shorter and incorporated a much smaller instrumental force. We will

present Fauré’s original 1887 version, a composition which is simple, effective

and hauntingly beautiful.

In contrast, Chris Williams recalls the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami that devastated

Nagapattinam, a fishing village in Tamil Nadu, South India, leaving more than

230,000 people dead in its wake. Tsunami Requiem tells that story in contrasting

moods. From an effervescent opening to a lilting lullaby, Tsunami Requiem is

a moving testament to a tragic occurrence. Musica Sacra Cantorum Chorus is

honored to present its regional premiere.