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On Friday 4th April at the Robert Sammut Hall in Floriana the Schola Cantorum Jubilate Choir gave the first of three performances of Requiem, Opus 9 by French organist and composer Maurice Duruflé (1902 – 1986). The choir was accompanied by Italian organist Simone Vebber and by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Christopher Muscat.
The word ‘Requiem’ brings in mind the Mass for the repose of souls. In fact it is derived from the Introit of the liturgy: ‘Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine’ – ‘Grant them eternal rest, O Lord’
For many centuries, the text of the Requiem was sung to Gregorian melodies but around the last half of the 15th century, composers started exploiting these chants to create new musical settings. Presently around 2000 compositions of the Requiem exist. Some were written for a cappella choruses while others include the organ or even an orchestra. Soloists are sometimes featured to sing in some of the Requiem Mass movements.
Schola Cantorum Jubilate left the island of Gozo on a beautiful Sunday morning to animate a High Mass at St. Paul's Cathedral at Mdina.
It was indeed a special occasion for the organisation - Hospice Malta which was celebrating its Silver Jubilee since its foundation. Around 900 patients are currently benefitting from the services provided by this NGO and much more had received support in the past years.
Maurice Duruflé was born on the 11th of January 1902 and died on the 16th of June 1986. He lived in Louviers, Eure in France. Duruflé was an organist at various cathedrals as well as a composer and a music teacher. In 1927, Louis Vierne, an illustrious organist and composer, appointed Duruflé as his assistant organist of Notre-Dame. Durufle’s repertoire is quite vast and it includes pieces for piano, organ, chamber music, piano for four hands, two pianos, orchestra and choral music among others.