Gabriel Fauré, among the most prominent French composers of the late 1800s, originally wrote his Requiem in 1877 for modest forces: small choir, organ, and perhaps a few instruments to enrich the texture. He later arranged it for large chorus and orchestra, but in its original conception, it was a chamber work. It is remarkable among Requiem settings for its focus on consolation and redemption. Other settings, most notably the Requiems of Berlioz (1837) and Verdi (1874) tend to highlight the dark vision of the Day of Judgment. While those Requiems make much of the Dies Irae, the dramatic and fearsome portrayal of judgment, Fauré omits it altogether.
The Dayspring Chorale will sing the original version of the work, accompanied only by organ. We first planned a performance of the Fauré Requiem for Good Friday 2020, but COVID-19 had other plans. We are grateful to sing it at last on Good Friday at 6pm.