Our All Music Sunday this spring features the music of the contemporary English composer John Rutter (b. 1945). His Requiem is regarded as his greatest composition. It was composed in 1985 and is dedicated to the memory of his father who died in 1984. This monumental work is both lyrical and powerful in turns with exquisite melodies and sumptuous harmonies. The structure of Rutter’s Requiem is non-traditional, including Latin movements from the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead as well as Psalm texts and excerpts from the 1662 Anglican Book of Common Prayer. In writing the work Rutter was inspired by the French post-Romantic composer Gabriel Faure, whose Requiem he edited to universal acclaim.

The Rutter Requiem will be performed by the Society Choir with guest singers and instrumentalists and conducted by Dan Broner. Heather Thorpe will be our guest soprano soloist and violinist Tyrone Greive will lead the string section. Woodwinds, harp and timpani also feature strongly in the orchestration. John Rutter’s delightful Suite Antique for flute, strings and harpsichord, featuring flutist Marilyn Chohaney, will also grace the service. Please join us on Sunday, April 22, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Atrium Auditorium.