Immerse yourself in the sacred and serene world of French choral music with the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge. This album, released on January 1, 1994, under Decca Music Group Ltd., is a profound exploration of the requiem genre, featuring works by three eminent French composers: Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Duruflé, and Francis Poulenc.
The album opens with Fauré's iconic Requiem, Op. 48, a work renowned for its gentle and consoling character, a departure from the traditional dramatic style of requiem masses. The Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, delivers a moving performance of this intimate and spiritual piece, followed by Duruflé's equally revered Requiem, which draws inspiration from Gregorian chant, offering a sense of tranquility and peace.
Poulenc's Quatre Motets, Op. 10, and other selected works round out the album, showcasing the choir's versatility and mastery of French choral literature. The album's duration of 2 hours and 27 minutes provides a comprehensive journey through these composers' sacred choral works, highlighting the rich harmonic language and profound spiritual depth that characterize French choral music.
The Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, is renowned for its precise and expressive performances, and this album is no exception. Their nuanced interpretation of these works, accompanied by subtle and sensitive organ playing, creates an atmosphere of reverence and contemplation. Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast of choral music or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a captivating exploration of the requiem tradition and the unique contributions of these French masters.
Requiem, Op. 48: 1. Introitus: Requiem aeternam - KyrieGabriel Fauré, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, George Guest
Requiem, Op. 48: 2. Offertorium: Domine Jesu ChristeGabriel Fauré, Benjamin Luxon, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, George Guest
Requiem, Op. 48: 3. SanctusGabriel Fauré, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, George Guest
Requiem, Op. 48: 4. Pie JesuGabriel Fauré, Jonathon Bond, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, George Guest
Requiem, Op. 48: 5. Agnus DeiGabriel Fauré, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, George Guest
Requiem, Op. 48: 6. Libera meGabriel Fauré, Benjamin Luxon, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, George Guest
Requiem, Op. 48: 7. In paradisumGabriel Fauré, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, George Guest
Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11Gabriel Fauré, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Messe Basse: KyrieGabriel Fauré, Andrew Brunt, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Messe Basse: SanctusGabriel Fauré, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Messe Basse: BenedictusGabriel Fauré, Andrew Brunt, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Messe Basse: Agnus DeiGabriel Fauré, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Mass in G Major, FP89: 1. KyrieFrancis Poulenc, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Mass in G Major, FP89: 2. GloriaFrancis Poulenc, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Mass in G Major, FP89: 3. SanctusFrancis Poulenc, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Mass in G Major, FP89: 4. BenedictusFrancis Poulenc, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Mass in G Major, FP89: 5. Agnus DeiFrancis Poulenc, Jonathon Bond, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Salve Regina, FP110Francis Poulenc, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Requiem: Introït: KyrieMaurice Duruflé, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Requiem: Domine Jesu ChristeMaurice Duruflé, Christopher Keyte, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Requiem: Sanctus (II)Maurice Duruflé, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Requiem: Pie JesuMaurice Duruflé, Robert King, Stephen Cleobury
Requiem: Agnus Dei (II)Maurice Duruflé, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Requiem: Lux AeternaMaurice Duruflé, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Requiem: Libera me (II)Maurice Duruflé, Christopher Keyte, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Requiem: In paradisum (II)Maurice Duruflé, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Prelude Et Fugue sur le nom d'AlainMaurice Duruflé, Stephen Cleobury
Quatre Motets, Op. 10: Ubi caritas et amorMaurice Duruflé, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Quatre Motets, Op. 10: Tota pulchra esMaurice Duruflé, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Quatre Motets, Op. 10: Tu es petrusMaurice Duruflé, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Quatre Motets, Op. 10: Tantum ergo sacramentumMaurice Duruflé, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, George Guest
Litanies à la vierge noire, FP 82Francis Poulenc, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest
Exultate DeoFrancis Poulenc, George Guest, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge
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