54
Aluredian
chords. The meandering Offertoire wove its
imitative lines beautifully, conveying perhaps
the darkest atmosphere of the work, until the
mood magically cleared at the final "Amen".
The Sanctus had its moment of power at the
end, before subsiding into the Pie Jesu,
hauntingly sung by Katie Butler. She has made
an outstanding contribution to choral music at
King's over the last five years. Tenors were in
fine form for the opening of the Agnus Dei, as
were the basses when they joined them for the
Libera Me, which featured an excellent solo by
Freddie Barker.
In Paradisum gave the sopranos their chance to
shine, and the work gradually worked its way
to its achingly beautiful conclusion, a most
thought-provoking way to prepare for the
holidays, Holy Week and Easter.
T
he Lent term programme of
music ended with an
outstanding performance by
the chapel choir of Fauré's
Requiem. This work inhabits
the opposite end of the
musical spectrum to that of say the Verdi
Requiem which the choir performed just twelve
months ago with OrchestraWest and local choir
Amici. Where the Verdi is full of passion and
theatre, Fauré conceived his work in an
altogether more contemplative, liturgical light.
It is never histrionic, yet always deeply felt - a
work that exudes integrity.
And the choir captured this atmosphere
perfectly. There were excellent dynamic
contrasts when necessary, but the overriding
tone was one of devotional simplicity. The
Introit and Kyrie had an intensity of purpose,
with beautiful lyrical tenor lines, and hushed
Fauré
Requiem
by
Chris Holmes
Katie Butler sang the
Pie Jesu in the chapel
choir's performance of
Fauré's Requiem