Fauré, Duruflé: Requiem (2018)

In contrast to the traditional Latin Requiem text, with its gloomy Dies Irae sequence and its implications of a severe Last Judgment, the Requiem, Op. 48 of Gabriel Fauré and the Requiem, Op. 9 of Maurice Duruflé reflect a gentler, humanistic attitude toward death, notably omitting the sequence. Instead, both composers chose to emphasize peace and consolation, so these works have become well-loved for their lyricism and serene beauty, and are often paired together as a matched set. This 2018 ATMA release by Jean-Sébastien ... Read More

In contrast to the traditional Latin Requiem text, with its gloomy Dies Irae sequence and its implications of a severe Last Judgment, the Requiem, Op. 48 of Gabriel Fauré and the Requiem, Op. 9 of Maurice Duruflé reflect a gentler, humanistic attitude toward death, notably omitting the sequence. Instead, both composers chose to emphasize peace and consolation, so these works have become well-loved for their lyricism and serene beauty, and are often paired together as a matched set. This 2018 ATMA release by Jean-Sébastien Vallée and the Choeur de l'Église St.Andrew and St.Paul present the Fauré and Duruflé works in reduced scoring for two vocal soloists, boy choir, mixed choir, cello, and organ, giving both Requiems the intimate feeling of a small church funeral, rather than the more dramatic, cathedral-sized sound of the full orchestral versions. Featured vocal soloists in the Fauré Requiem are mezzo-soprano Julie Boulianne and bass baritone Philippe Sly, who eschew dramatic singing for a more... Read Less