Fauré's Requiem

Yannick’s multi-season exploration of the great requiems continues with Fauré’s intimate and contemplative work. After the requiems of Mozart, Brahms, and Verdi, the Fauré is equally ethereal and deeply personal. The famous “Pie Jesu,” a beautiful and soaring solo for soprano, is just one highlight of the piece. It’s distinctive orchestration of lower strings is the centerpiece of a program featuring unique combinations and ensembles in this spiritual program, including styles from Medieval chant to antiphonal brass to Brazilian rhythms. It opens with sparkling brass fanfares and organ chorales. Villa-Lobos’s Bachianas brasileiras No. 5 for soprano and cellos is a delightful blend of Brazilian folk tunes and Bach-inspired chamber music. The Philadelphia Singers Chorale will also be featured in short a cappella selections by French composer Maurice Duruflé, based on Gregorian melodies.