Levens Choir, conducted by Gawain Glenton, performs the music of French composer Maurice Duruflé in Kendal this weekend.
The centrepiece of the concert, on Saturday, is the Duruflé Requiem, one of the most revered choral works of the 20th century.
Duruflé’s work was notable for its fusion of Gregorian chant with his own sumptuous harmonic language.
This melding of old and new is clearly displayed in his Requiem and also in his later Quatre Motets which feature in this programme and, like the Requiem, are directly inspired by Gregorian chant melodies.
The programme includes the much-loved Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré, the meditative Beatitudes by Arvo Pärt, Herbert Howell’s joyful Hymn for St Cecilia and Cecilia McDowall’s anthem Aurea Luce.
The choir will be joined by mezzo-soprano Rebecca Chandler and Ian Pattinson, Lancaster Priory organist.
Rebecca won the Keldwyth Cumbrian Young Musicians Award in 2019 and recently graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire with first class honours in music and performance. Ian is well-known as a soloist and accompanist to choirs across the region.
The concert starts at 7.30pm in the Parish Church of St George on Castle Street, Kendal.
Tickets are £17 online at levenschoir.net and on the door. Free entry for children and students.
