M. Duruflé REQUIEM (Op. 9) - University of King's College Chapel Choir, Paul Halley, Nick Halley

Featuring the University of King's College Chapel Choir, Paul Halley, Nick Halley, and Ensemble Regale chamber orchestra. The PDF program booklet for this performance is available here: ukings.ca/wp-content/uploads/2...
As part of the inaugural Creative Campuses Nova Scotia arts festival, the University of King’s College Chapel Choir is joined by a hand-picked chamber orchestra in a video-recorded performance of the Requiem by Maurice Duruflé (1948). A ‘Requiem’ is a Mass for the dead, named for the first words of the ancient funeral liturgy, “Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine” - “Give them eternal rest, O Lord”. This performance of Duruflé’s supremely beautiful setting is dedicated to Nova Scotians and all Canadians who have lost their lives to Covid-19.
0:12 I. Introit
03:50 II. Kyrie
07:34 III. Domine Jesu Christe
16:35 IV. Sanctus
20:07 V. Pie Jesu
24:43 VI. Agnus Dei
28:58 VII. Lux Aeterna
33:14 VIII. Libera Me
39:32 IX. In Paradisum

[@craigwagstrom5952]

Durufle's Requiem is one of the greatest choral works ever written. Absolutely breathtaking.

[@Engelhafen]

I have always loved this requiem the most because the composer understood grief and this requiem goes through all the phases of grief from anger and disbelief to acceptance

[@robinworth7142]

I just love this Requiem and this performance is one of the best I’ve ever heard. The Introit is gorgeous. What a beautiful way to go to Heaven for Eternal Rest

[@Awareproductions]

Performing this many times, I can say every choral singer I have known has transcended into a higher realm. It is the finest Requiem

[@kentbaldner2585]

I sang this 40 years ago. Still the most moving piece of music I know. Hauntingly beautiful. And this is the best performance I have heard. Thank you for sharing this ethereal experience.

[@pedrozurzica6279]

A big true 👍

[@christiansaillard928]

Splendide. KZbin devrait avoir honte d'entrecouper cette sublime musique par de la publicité. Quel monde de dingues.

[@michaelarmitage1709]

Absolutely beautiful… In Paradisum is so moving it actually means something…

[@stthomasmore4811]

Wow. WOW. Absolutely STUNNING. -- This is what dreams are made of: an English choir singing the greatest Requiem ever written by any composer with perfect orchestration.

[@temmokorisheli6129]

Well... a Canadian choir... :-)

[@galbarido]

@@temmokorisheli6129 JAJAJA!!!

[@benjamMin278]

Well said, Sir Thomas! :)

[@keplergso8369]

This version is my favourite : choir, small orchestra, and organ. I know this masterpiece by heart, but each time it brings tears to me, it is so beautiful !!! Jacques, from France.

[@isaiahbaggett5014]

I like this setting better too. The texture is more crisper, sharper due to the chamber like setting with the smaller ensemble but still has a beautiful blend.

[@loriprice9338]

I sang this in college with my Chamber choir and wept almost the entire time. Such an amazing spiritual experience. This group has such beautiful blend! Stunning.

[@anitaenander9743]

Always grateful to Dr. Roger Nyquist for leading this with the Santa Clara University Chorus when I was there. I still have my marked-up score almost 50 years later. Four years ago I sang the alto part to my dad as passed from this world. This is a wonderful performance.

[@robertfovargue636]

Wonderful sonority, clarity, tone, tuning. Also, exquisite balance and blend between voices, orchestra and organ. Not enough superlatives to fairly describe the beauty of this work and this performance. Celestial!

[@jaxxyjaxxyjax]

Absolutely agreed!!

[@alexanderhendrickson4627]

Easily one of the finest recordings of this piece ever produced. I rarely sit through an entire video. This is a new reference for me, for this great work.

[@DCLayclerk]

What an AMAZING performance, I gotta give kudos to the sound engineer, too, because he/she is out of this world. This is such an incredibly luminous piece, so French, so Gregorian chant-based and yes, SO Duruflé! The performance is nothing short of perfection. Bravi tutti!

[@MicksFlics]

Loved reading your comment. I wrote similar even before reading yours. Truly brilliant recording engineering here. Everything is so clear in spite of the gorgeous acoustic & pleasant reverb...nothing is muddy & vocals are transparent & ethereal. I have many recordings of the work, this performance is one of the best I've heard, even like it better than the (original) Erato one with the Durufles. Voice, organ & each instrument are all so well balanced. Really a treat to listen & watch. I do hope they release on CD/DVD. This is a such a keeper performance!

[@chrismunson5120]

@@MicksFlics Hear! hear! This recording is a small miracle.

[@Doug19752533]

if durufle were to hear this performance of his beloved requiem, he would weep tears of joy.

[@tingdzin108]

I'll return to this recording again and again. It's a treasure.

[@Goran_D]

That climax just before the final Kyrie. 😮 I couldn’t breathe

[@douglasneel4012]

I sang this with Robert Shaw and the Dallas Symphony and Chorus many years ago. It never fails to move me. What outstanding music

[@Jppx31]

This piece captures the spirit of Catholicism. Absolutely marvelous.

[@LucasdeJong1962]

This is an exceptional performance! Sublime! I am just about to conduct this exact version in Melbourne Australia in May 2024 and watching this performance has really inspired me. Thank you for making it available to the world. ❤

[@TonyCN7]

Best recording of this piece. And this music... I have no words for this beauty....

[@EarlMillerMusic]

This music is poignant, exquisite and breathtaking on so many levels that leave me completely spellbound and speechless. This is such heavenly music 🎼🎶

[@williamwatterson8711]

The best recording of this available. Sheer perfection!

[@clarechristie7018]

Soul enriching. Thank you.

[@marshallartz395]

Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) Requiem, Op. 9 *(1948)* 00:14 I. Introit *(Requiem æternam)* 03:51 II. Kyrie 07:34 III. Domine Jesu Christe 16:40 IV. Sanctus 20:07 V. Pie Jesu 24:45 VI. Agnus Dei 28:59 VII. Lux æterna 33:16 VIII. Libera me 39:31 IX. In Paradisum 43:02 *Credits* University of King’s College Chapel Choir Ensemble Regale *Organ: Paul Halley* Nick Halley, conductor *Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax,* *Nova Scotia, Canada 🇨🇦 April 21, 2021*

[@raymondboudreau]

I actually quite like how they swapped the solos for the full section!

[@leeabe3932]

What a gift to us during these times. For those who do not understand the latin lyrics and meaning, it is definitely worth a deep study as profound as they are.

[@sottzen]

Beautiful recording thank you

[@jamesglover831]

Absolutely Heavenly. Choir and musicians are superb!!!! And the sound quality-my new favorite recording. 🙏

[@lionelbourles1125]

Pie Jesu est mon passage préféré. Une sorte de moment extatique de la composition !

[@margaret_race_artist]

Absolutely beautiful. A rich and elegant offering.

[@earthpear]

What a gift. Thank you to all involved in bringing this performance to viewers and listeners.

[@user-yc6di2mh8c]

Bravo. Celestial. Me emociono. Excelente. Todo a perfección.💖👏

[@MattFraserSmaser]

This is deserving of more than 1.5K views! Thanks, King's Chapel choir et al.!!!

[@wam44]

When I was college I sang in choir and we performed Faure's Requiem. I bought the CD to practice singing to and lo and behold Durufle's requiem was also on the CD. A true masterpiece that I have treasured since my first listen. In some ways I like it better the Faure's. Was a beautiful way the spend 44 minutes Gives me chills to this day...Thanks for uploading!

[@mutestingray]

Props to everyone involved. What a beautiful performance.

[@gaynorfunnell8334]

Fabulous

[@Paul_Halley_Pelagosmusic]

Congratulations to all the singers and players. A beautiful production.

[@Songhouse111]

Sublime. Thank you Paul and Nick, Pelagos and choir and orchestra. A balm to all the grieving souls.

[@jaxxyjaxxyjax]

What a beautifully fantastic performance and recording of an exquisite piece of music! Bravissimo! What an accomplishment! Thank you for this! 💝🙏

[@orgelkvlt9242]

One of the most underrated requiems, thank you for this new recording and for dedicating it to the lives recently lost.

[@knozomimusic]

Beautiful and touching music. I sang this requiem when I was conservatory student. It remind me my youth too.

[@tacul9333]

Beautiful!

[@user-zz8ds8or3k]

Splendid performance of the version with chamber orchestra of the Requiem, the last of three versions Duruflé wrote and preferred over the first one with symphony orchestra (recorded on an historic ERATO disc with the maestro conducting and his wife playing the organ) and the second one with organ solo. It is also the first time I see a conductor swinging a pencil instead of a baton (?) Interesting as well: the bariton soli in the Offertorium and in the Libera me are sung alternatingly by the choir basses and tenors, similarly the stunningly beautiful solo for mezzo-soprano in the Pie Jesu is sung by the choir alti and sopranos: if nothing else, it is consistent with gregorian plainchant tradition and I am convinced that this adaptation would have greatly pleased Duruflé ...

[@pollysmith5014]

Absolutely superb performance! Fantastically well sustained, immaculate playing and singing, performed with immense conviction and heart - congratulations! I know this piece very well and this is the best performance I've heard. Well done all

[@TarotAstrologerTHOMAS]

the very first piece I sang in my university choir 😊🤗😊🤗 bringing back so many fond memories 😭😭❤❤

[@pieternooten]

Breathtaking

[@jacquelinemaree8155]

Thank you so very much.. May all souls rest in peace. Absolutely rich, comforting and uplifting experience .

[@henkvogel]

What an exciting performance, with many details I hadn't noticed before

[@JValdez669]

Exquisite, ethereal performance; I was privileged to have performed this on multiple occasions under Leland Tetz with Pro Musica on the West, East coasts, and Europe. It's what I'm asking for when it's my time to say Happy Trails!

[@williamsmothermon9928]

The sounds of heaven.

[@rmac1042]

The Kyrie leaves me in tears every time! My God! This work is transcendent!

[@katherinelazar4990]

WOW this is wonderful!! What a masterful performance

[@christinesmith4691]

I just sang the Requiem myself and know how difficult this piece is. I hope we were as good as this superb performance.

[@justinhavu]

Stunning recording quality.

[@bcurt47]

This is a wonderful recording of my all-time favorite choral work... a wonderful performance.

[@anniep2035]

Most touched by the credits and the dedication to the people of Nova Scotia and Canada. The Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax is unusual and beautiful.

[@billlord5043]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Absolutely glorious!

[@originaltommy]

Superbly done by ALL involved. It doesn't get better than this! I have the highest praise for this musical, spiritual offering.

[@codykimmel]

The Kyrie just shatters me. Perfection.

[@user-zz8ds8or3k]

I remember the first time I heard this Requiem: as a student I had borrowed a CD of the Corydon Singers with Matthew Best performing this piece from the university library. I was captivated from the very first beginning until the (open) end, however it was exactly the Kyrie that overwhelmed me most of all, I simply could not stop listening to this piece over and over again. To the present day I believe that Duruflé was inspired by Heaven´s best musicians (including J.S. Bach and the choir of Seraph Angels) when he wrote this heavenly music ...

[@codykimmel]

@@user-zz8ds8or3k I must agree with everything you've commented.

[@hughwallis]

Really wonderful performance. Thank you so much for doing this.

[@johnweddel687]

Gorgeous performance! Some years ago, my church choir performed this requiem with Madame Durufle in attendance... what an honor!. On a side note, she also performed an organ recital which was amazing considering her age at the time. The first time I have seen anyone perform on the organ in high heels! Great memory of this work and the experience!

[@stephenkrahn7187]

Was this 1st-Plymouth in Lincoln, NE?

[@stellalord7757]

Wonderful...thank you so much for this!

[@philipwilby4301]

What a perfect performance.... Thank You!

[@jameycollins725]

Absolutely wonderful job! I had the privilege to sing this one time while being in a choir. So glad the women's voices have barely any vibrato . Westminster Cathedral Choir has the best recording by far of this (back when James O'Donnel directed the choir before moving on to Westminster Abbey) and will always in my opinion.

[@ShawnNowlan]

Truly a lovely performance. And from Halifax! Nicely done.

[@michaelwinningham6166]

It is impossible to grow tired of this music. It is fresh every time I hear it. Bravo! I wish I could have heard this live--I live in Maine, and this would have been well worth the trip.

[@SarahConnolly63]

Fabulous!! Love the combination of strings & organ and the choir is tip top. Such a mystical In Paradisium

[@Patgorproductions]

Thank you so much, just what my soul needed. And, thank you Paul for introducing me to this amazing piece of music many, many years ago in Connecticut. So very grateful for the musical experiences that I had at that time.

[@stepps511]

Sublime. I've listened to your video/recording in memory of a dear friend who died suddenly this past Friday. He was a tenor at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City. In paradisum deducant te angeli.

[@MirrorMan13]

It's simply divine 🙏 At he first time I listened to this performance for several hours on repeat). I didn't expect such emotions...

[@MicksFlics]

I wonder, will this be released on CD or DVD? Love to buy a copy in either or both formats. A really clear & glorious performance of the work...instrumentally & vocally, all elements are crystal clear & beautifully executed. How could one go wrong with collaboration of brilliant father & son team, Paul & Nick Halley! Interesting to have the Pie Jesu sung by entire mezzo section, refreshing & great idea. The recording here is also excellent...great recording engineers. The Halleys, singers & instrumentalists all truly understand this work!

[@lawrencehawkins7198]

This is truly a refined performance.

[@jasontiller]

Thank you for this lovely and stirring performance. The singing was consummate and consistently strong. It’s a beautiful gift for us to have this.

[@morganahassell1994]

Good to see the Halley's doing their thing! Can't wait to get back out to the east coast. Morgan.

[@ei4kc]

my favourite peice of choral music.helped me through some dark times in my life. thank you for this upload.

[@richardr.palmer2929]

In the early winter of 1965-66, not a very happy time for any of us, including me, I drove up from New York, where I was up to my eyeballs in organic chemistry, not enjoying NYC, noting the grime and Needle Park....to Cambridge, Mass where I was going to visit a woman pal who was having a semester from Bennington in a sublet in Central Square with virtually no furniture....inauspicious, huh? In the apartment was my friend's overweight, usually irritable cousin.......and a spectacular stereo with as I recall Klipsch speakers......and the Duruflé Requiem....... The cousin nodded at me, and me to the cousin, she handed me the liner notes, and we listened to that Visitor from the Celestial Realm.....

[@philippeb5822]

Wonderful !

[@mrnnhnz]

Excellent! Thanks for uploading.

[@-212-]

Merci !

[@charlesleyes870]

Thank you. The Requiem is one of my favorites.

[@TarotAstrologerTHOMAS]

thanks for uploading

[@nunyabiznaz833]

Exquisite

[@Goran_D]

I wish with my whole heart I were standing there with them letting the music wash over me.

[@amelajay]

Beautifully done. I couldn't bear that conductor's method, but the choir and orchestration were remarkable.

[@tessahennessy9191]

We will be performing this wonderful work in Oxford Town Hall on Saturday 10th June 2023 at 7.30 pm. I hope we perform as well as this. Do come along if you're free - tickets on the door!! 🙂

[@jkey4770]

Absolute beautiful music, makes me cru

[@mp4373]

Beautiful, thank you.

[@charlesleyes870]

Thank you Wouter. I appreciate your reply.

[@samcharo]

My favorite parts:Introit, Kyrie and Sanctus of all Durufle's renditions.

[@dipl.-math.andreaheler3367]

beautiful ❤️🙏

[@lionelbourles1125]

Peut-on trouver l'enregistrement sur DVD ou CD?

[@davidtreece2889]

Is there a CD or DVD of this concert? I would love to listen to this in a higher resolution format. Wonderful Performance!

[@lionelbourles1125]

Je n'avais pas vu votre commentaire et j'ai fait le même.😄 Ceci dit, il n'a pas l'air d'y avoir un support "physique" enregistré... (?) car pas de réponses depuis.

[@sicklefinger]

Yo, ya'll be killing it. I shared with my crew and told 'em, you best listen when you feeling your souls be imbalanced. And check the dude on the pipes, he is a sensei - them hands and feets. Word.

[@user-zz8ds8or3k]

Without "the dude on the pipes", this piece would remain hanging in thin air, he creates the acoustic foundation on which all others can rest. There even exists a version without orchestra where the whole orchestra is played by one single person: the organist . . . and only here and there you would be able to tell the difference compared to this version with chamber orchestra, the only difference is that he pulls a few more stops now and then ... It is not without reason that the organ is sometimes called "one-man orchestra" or (even better) "king of instruments"

[@anthonycarmen2932]

Excellent fucking job, folks.

[@robstimson4234]

The only thing l don't like about this piece is that it ends.

[@user-zz8ds8or3k]

Yes but what an end it is: the final chord is an unresolved seventh F-sharp major chord, meaning a never-ending and open-ended conclusion ...

[@shirleybeyah3976]

Yup❤

[@mseksich]

Questo in paradiso è nella playlist di Dio

[@neal6912]

Listening on the evening of 9/10/2022. With the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II and the remembrance of the awful disaster of 9/11/2001… not to mention all manner of tragedy in Ukraine, it is some sort of way of processing tragedy and awfulness. I wish this music could make it all go away.

[@allenspencer6434]

This is a wonderful performance but at 20: 17 Pie Jesu why do You use not a solo alto or mezzo soprano ??? That is what is in the score.Otherwise very well done.

[@user-zz8ds8or3k]

On the one hand I agree with you, on the other hand, solo singing is traditionally not a part of gregorian plainchant (which the entire Requiem is based upon), therefore it makes good sense to have also the soli sung by choral voices (not only the mezzo-soprano solo in the Pie Jesu but also the baritone soli in the Offertorium - Domine Jesu Christe - and the Libera me which are also sung alternatingly by basses and tenors)

[@markustammer4719]

Die Musik ist zweifelsohne outstanding! Ein Hoch auf die Aufführenden! Jedoch kann ich mit Masken während solcher Darbietungen nichts anfangen. Musik ist grenzenlose Emotion, in ihrer Darbietung unbeschnitten. Wer sich während dieser mit dem Zeichen der Furcht begrenzt und dem Zuschauenden einen Teil seiner Mimik verwehrt verschenkt viel von der ansonsten unglaublichen Fülle dieses Werkes. Trotzdem danke für die Veröffentlichung! Ich würde es auch gerne einmal mitsingen!

[@charlesleyes870]

Can anyone advise me what they think is the best recorded version of Durufle's Requium?

[@user-zz8ds8or3k]

Maurice Duruflé himself has conducted his Requiem for the French record label ERATO: it is a historic but good stereo recording featuring Duruflé´s first version of his Requiem with large symphonic orchestra, with the composer conducting and with his wife Marie-Madeleine Duruflé-Chevalier playing the organ and it has been re-released on CD, either on ERATO or on Virgin Classics: with some research it should be possible to find it online. However, Duruflé himself is said to have preferred the third version with chamber orchestra (featured in this video). There also exists a second version for choir and baritone and mezzo-soprano solo, where the entire orchestral schore is reduced to organ: that is the most-performed version, understandably because the Requiem is not typical concert music but originally meant for liturgical use and therefore usually performed in churches (where organs are the instrument of choice, rather than orchestral instruments).

[@MarshallArtz007]

This University of King’s College Chapel Choir video recording is an outstanding performance of the chamber orchestra with organ version. The finest performance of the organ only (with cello) version is by the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge. It is spectacularly performed, filmed, and recorded, and for me it is the overall best recording of the Duruflé Requiem. Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGK6qWtteNl5hrMsi=v06BGy7k5s0C2N89 The Trinity College Cambridge performance will be released on CD on March 1, 2024 on the Hyperion label. 😎🎹