A concert for the Faithful Departed - Duruflé Requiem
About the show
Commissioning a new piece of music was a gesture by the Pro-Nazi Vichy government to try and gain favour with the public.
The original commission was to compose a symphonic poem but as the war continued, Duruflé decided to compose a Requiem instead. The prevailing mood is one of prayer, tenderness and hope, with moments of immense power arising almost naturally from the underlying chant.
