Concert

Duruflé: Requiem

Sunday 21 June 2026, 5:00 pm

Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford

Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem dates from 1947, when its composer was at the peak of his powers. In this work, Duruflé followed Fauré in avoiding the dramatic fire and brimstone which we find in the settings of the Requiem by Verdi or Berlioz, but instead produced a more meditative and consolatory piece. Duruflé had a lifelong fascination with plainchant, and his setting of the Requiem is filled with traditional Gregorian melodies, all adorned with new and beautiful harmonies.