Requiem

Two Requiems by two quintessentially French composers: On this new recording, Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, Op. 9, considered a pinnacle of contemporary choral repertoire, is paired with Gabriel Fauré’s moving Requiem, Op.48. Especially when accompanied by organ, as these versions are, these sacred works are imbued with the same peaceful atmosphere. Vocal soloists Philippe Sly and Julie Boulianne, the Choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul and the Petits chanteurs du Mont Royal directed by Jean-Sébastien Vallée, are accompanied on the organ by Jonathan Oldengarm. The organ of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul was built in the Anglo-American Romantic style in 1931 by Casavant Frères of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. With almost 7000 pipes, it is one of the largest instruments on the island of Montreal. Every summer, the organ is played by a roster of Canadian and international soloists at the church’s annual Organ Intermezzi series.