On 28 and 29 September, Schola Cantorum and the Stellenbosch University Chamber Choir together with orchestra bring Duruflé’s Requiem to the Endler Hall conducted by Martin Berger.

The concert opens with Bach’s “Ascension Oratorio”, Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen, BWV 11 which bears many similarities to the well-known “Christmas Oratorio” which was composed only one year earlier. This will be followed by Shostakovich’s seldom performed Chamber Symphony Op. 110a which is a transcription by Rudolf Barshai of the composer’s Eighth String Quartet.

The Requiem, Duruflé’s longest and most substantial work, was composed in 1947 at the end of World War II and has become one of the most-beloved choral compositions of the 20th century. Like Fauré, Duruflé chose to break away from the operatic and highly dramatic Requiem settings of Berlioz and Verdi. He sought to focus his setting not on visions of hell and damnation but on images of rest and peace. The exquisite music combines elements of Debussy, Fauré, and Messiaen, and all of its melodies, according to the composer, are “based exclusively on themes from the Gregorian chant”. Schola Cantorum and the Stellenbosch University Chamber Choirs will be accompanied by organ, string orchestra, 3 trumpets, harp and timpani.

Tickets for R140 (regular) and R100 (students and pensioners) are available now through Computicket and at the door. For more information contact Fiona Grayer at concerts@sun.ac.za or 021 808 2358.