Composer: Maurice Duruflé, Gabriel Urbain Fauré
Performer: Mary Seers, Ann Murray, Thomas Allen, Michael George, John Scott, Thomas Trotter, Corydon Singers
Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Matthew Best
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hyperion
Catalogue: CDA67070
Release: 1998
Size: 306 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Fauré: Requiem, Op. 48
01. I. Introït et Kyrie
02. II. Offertoire
03. III. Sanctus
04. IV. Pie Jesu
05. V. Agnus Dei
06. VI. Libera me
07. VII. In paradisum
Duruflé: Requiem, Op. 9
08. I. Introït
09. II. Kyrie
10. III. Domine Jesu Christe
11. IV. Sanctus
12. V. Pie Jesu
13. VI. Agnus Dei
14. VII. Lux aeterna
15. VIII. Libera me
16. IX. In paradisum
This CD brings together previously issued recordings from separate discs of two of the best-loved settings of the Requiem. The Requiem Mass is the solemn liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church sung to honour the departed and to ask for rest for their immortal souls (the Latin word ‘requiem’ is best translated as ‘rest’). There have been many settings over the centuries. Faur’s is unquestionably one of the best loved and is indeed the composer’s most popular work. Some of its melodies have even been used in TV commercials (for Volkswagen). Durufl’s Requiem was clearly written in homage to Faur’s serene masterpiece and exists in three versions. It is the composer’s final revision of the work that is recorded here. The Faur recording is described as ‘ethereally beautiful’ in the Penguin Guide, and BBC Record Review said of the Durufl that it has ‘a heavenly, visionary effect which is amazingly satisfying’. The two discs from which these recordings are taken remain available separately. Each contains more music by each composer (Fauré: CDA66292; Duruflé: CDA66191).