Duruflé Requiem & Widor Motets

Sheffield Chamber Choir perform Maurice Duruflé's sublime Requiem, and the seldom heard motets for choir and two organs by C M Widor

Sheffield Chamber Choir returns to the sublime acoustics and surroundings of St Marie's Cathedral to celebrate their delayed 10th Anniversary. The programme features the Requiem of Maurice Duruflé, one of the finest choral pieces ever written. Duruflé takes the Missal Tones Mass setting, and adds his own glorious harmonies; his skill at writing for the organ, using a wide tone pallet is second to none, and these two factors combined have produced a glorious work - once heard, never forgotten.

As well as the Requiem, the choir will perform the Three Motets Op 23 by Charles Marie Widor (he of the toccata fame). These are seldom performed as they require two organs - which, to be fair, many French cathedrals have. We are luck in that St Marie's Cathedral has two instruments, both up to the task, and therefore it seemed an ideal setting to perform these seldom heard pieces. They are not subtle, but are a joy to sing and to hear. Finally we have also included another French Motet using two organs, Laudate Dominum by Marcel Dupré - another loud joyful work.

We are joined by organists Paul Plummer (who will play the Duruflé) and Peter Heginbotham.

This will be an evening of glorious choral music in the finest venue in the city - not to be missed.

Performers

Sheffield Chamber Choir (Choir), Paul Plummer (Organ), Peter Heginbotham (Organ) and Peter Taylor (Baritone)

Programme

• Maurice Duruflé: Requiem Op 9
• Charles Marie Widor: Trois Motets Op 23
• Marcel Dupré: Laudate Dominum Op 9