11/10/2008

Maurice Durufle's hauntingly beautiful Requiem performed at St Alban's Abbey by Judith Harris (mezzo), Stephen Charlesworth (baritone), BBC Singers and BBC Concert Orchestra directed by Nicholas Cleobury. The performance, recorded at the 2001 St Alban's international Organ Festival, uses the seldom-heard version for chorus, soloists and large orchestra of the work, which was composed in 1947 and became a much-loved choral classic of the 20th century. As a model, Durufle took Faure's Requiem and his piece closely shadows the outline of Faure's piece, born of the enormous admiration and respect Durufle felt towards his elder colleague.