Requiem Perfection

On Saturday in Eye Church Eye Bach Choir performed the two requiems by the twentieth century French composers Durufle and Faure. The choir was accompanied on the recently installed magnificent Binns organ by Ian le Grice whose playing was outstanding in its sensitivity and mastery of the challenging and intricate score. His clarity of playing enabled the choir to sing with a great dynamic range, especially in the Durufle.

Leslie Olive’s conducting drew out the textures and colours through some exceptionally quiet singing from the entire choir; for example in the final few bars of the Durufle it created the mood of calm and repose perfectly.

Lisa Cassidy, Soprano, sang the solo arias in both works. Her ‘Pie Jesu’ in the Faure was beautifully composed and ethereal. A new young baritone, Malachy Frame, sang with great power and assuredness and is a talent to watch.

Jane Glenister

Saturday 26th November 2016