Faure Requiem and Other Choral Works

Immediately following his studies, Fauré was appointed organist of the Saint-Saveur in Rennes. One year later, the dedication of the new organ of this church was celebrated with a performance of his Cantique de Jean Racine in a version for harmonium and string quintet.

Many years later, in 1905, Fauré arranged his Cantique for a larger orchestra. He remained devoted to this early work for more than forty years, and justly so. The reason for its reputation becomes apparent immediately upon first hearing: both Racine’s text and Fauré’s music are simple and noble, with the secular song and the religious motet combined beautifully, as in many of the composer’s vocal works.

Christiane Oelze, Soprano
Harry Peeters, Bass
Limburg Symphony Orchestra Maastricht
Nederlands Kamerkoor
Ed Spanjaard, Conductor