with Fauré’s Requiem
Wheaton College Chorale and Chamber Singers
Introduction to the Work
A Requiem Mass is a Catholic traditional service that celebrates the souls of those who have passed. Historically, many composers have written music to accompany these services, with recognizable examples coming from Mozart and Verdi.
Gabriel Fauré was a French composer in the late 19th century. You might recognize some of his other works including Après un rêve.
Fun Fact: Movements of his own Requiem were played at Fauré’s funeral!
What does our Requiem mean?
Wheaton’s interpretation of this piece leans into transformation, using flowers within the performance as a vessel to demonstrate the various stages of death. Endings can be scary, but they’re often the juncture between two experiences that can lead to an acceptance of change.
One way Fauré achieves a lighter tone in his work is by replacing the Dies Irae (or Day of Reckoning) with Pie Jesu in the fourth movement. While the Dies Irae focuses on suffering, Pie Jesu is about forgiveness.
Terms to Know and What to Do
Glossary Requiem: A Mass for the Dead Movement: A distinct segment of a larger musical work
Audience Etiquette
Please hold applause until the end of the work. Recording may distract performers, so please silence your phones and enjoy our performance unplugged!