Maurice Duruflé published the Requiem in three versions: for organ alone, for full orchestra, and a chamber version for organ and strings with harp, trumpets and timpani ad libitum – which we will be performing in this concert. Duruflé’s requiem is tender, omitting the chilling Dies Irae and focussing on forgiveness with his Pie Jesu and constant repetition of the phrase ‘Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine’.

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s death and with the approach of advent, the concert includes his hugely popular A Ceremony of Carols. The piece was inspired by his discovery of The English Galaxy of Shorter Poems and displays his mastery of choral music.

In celebration of our Vice President Paul Patterson’s 80^th year, we are performing his Nunc Dimittis, a wonderfully vibrant setting of this traditional canticle.

The concert ends with Johann Kuhnau’s glorious and joyful Magnificat.

All four pieces form the theme of ‘from darkness to light’,  moving in that direction from the Requiem through to the upbeat Magnificat.