"My Requiem wasn't written for anything 鈥� for pleasure, if I may call it that!" Faur茅
Poulenc was not particularly religious, until, following the death of his friend, he went on a pilgrimage and started to write sacred works. These included his understated Salve Regina and his Four Christmas Motets.
Canteloube grew up in Auvergne and the influence of the countryside can be heard in his folk-inspired Songs of Auvergne, written in the local language of Occitan. The most well-known song is Bae茂l猫ro which was said to have been inspired by a call that he heard between two shepherds. Listen out for the oboe imitating the shepherd鈥檚 pipe in this movement.
Our concert of French music is completed by Faure鈥檚 setting of the Roman Catholic mass for the dead. Leaving out the Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) movement, Faure said 鈥淚t has been said that my Requiem does not express the fear of death and someone has called it a lullaby of death. But it is thus that I see death: as a happy deliverance...rather than as a painful experience...鈥�
Pre-concert talk 6.45pm
Albert Room
Judy Blezzard discusses the evening鈥檚 works.
Entry is free to ticket-holders for the concert but space is limited so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
