WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
On Saturday evening, April 13, 2019, Bloomington Chamber Singers will present two of the great French choral-orchestral works of the 20th century: Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, op. 9, and Francis Poulenc’s Stabat Mater, FP 148.
The Requiem was composed in 1947 at the end of World War II. Like Fauré’s Requiem, the work focuses not on hell and damnation, but instead on images of consolation in the face of loss. The chants of the Roman Catholic Missa pro defunctis (Requiem Mass) form the melodic basis of the work, ancient melodies enriched by gentle harmonies and tender orchestral colors. Duruflé explains: “This Requiem is not an ethereal work which sings of detachment from human concerns. It reflects, in the unchanging form of Christian prayer, the anguish of man faced with the mystery of his final end.”
Poulenc’s Stabat Mater was composed in 1950 in response to the death of his friend, the artist Christian Bérard; he considered writing a Requiem for Bérard, but, after returning to the shrine of the Black Virgin of Rocamadour, Poulenc selected as his text the Stabat Mater, an ancient Latin hymn that reflects on Mary’s sorrow as she witnessed the Crucifixion. The piece, scored for soprano solo, mixed chorus, and orchestra, premiered in 1951 at the Strasbourg Festival. This work won the New York Critics’ Circle Award for Best Choral Work of the year. Poulenc considered it his finest composition.
Don’t miss this rare event performed by Bloomington area musical artists, 55 vocalists and full orchestra.
Adult Tickets $20.00 / Student $5.00 with Student ID. Children 18 and under free.
