Blog
As April days proceed, the Holy Week gets closer and so the greatest of feasts that is Easter.
All Christians believe and adopt various measures for recollection and many abjure from simple things in order to get closer to their inner self and revert to God; to guide their paths.
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.