Inaugural Choral-Organ Event - Duruflé Requiem

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 8:00pm

with chorus, organ and orchestra

French music for organ and chorus

Works by Fauré, Poulenc, Boulanger and others

This gala event will be the Voices of Ascension's first concert with the spectacular new organ from France. So it is most fitting that the program feature some of the greatest French choral music ever written — a repertory for which Dennis Keene and the Voices of Ascension have earned international acclaim.

The first half of the concert will feature Fauré Cantique de Jean Racine, Poulenc Litanies à la vierge noire, and Lili Boulanger Psaume 24. Organist Mark Kruczek will open up the new organ all the way in the Deux Esquisses of Marcel Dupré. After intermission the orchestra will join the ensemble to present the group's signature work, the transcendent Requiem of Maurice Duruflé. To hear this spiritual, profoundly beautiful work performed by these musicians — and with the specific French organ timbres that play such an integral role in the work — will surely be a memorable evening.

"Dennis Keene: the perfect interpreter of my husband's music."
Marie-Madeleine Duruflé