DURUFLÉ Requiem - Agnus Dei

Voices of Ascension
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director
Mark Kruczek, organ

from the Delos recording The Duruflé Ablum ℗ 1995 Delos
The singers in this performance are represented by the
American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.

BY REQUEST FROM ORGANIST MARK KRUCZEK

We are so fortunate to collaborate with the best organists in the business; and our main organ-accompanist since the very beginning has been my right-hand man, Mark Kruczek. He was the organist for our Duruflé Festival in 1989, when he actually coached the organ part with Marie-Madeleine Duruflé, the legendary organist and wife of the composer. She called him a “phenomenon!” I can’t imagine performing this work without Mark. He writes about this movement, “It’s such a loving, gentle treatment of the chant theme. Almost as if it wafts in and out on a gentle breeze that the accompaniment provides. It’s the most comforting piece I can think of at this time.” Thanks, Mark, and I look forward to performing this piece with you as soon as we are able!!

In the meantime, I'm excited to share more of Duruflé's Requiem in our upcoming event, Music With the Maestro Live. There's so much to tell about my time in Paris with the Duruflés and more beautiful movements of this masterpiece that we'll listen to together. You'll find the details below.

– Dennis Keene

JOIN US FOR THE THIRD PART OF OUR MUSIC WITH THE MAESTRO LIVE SERIES: DURUFLÉ'S REQUIEM

Thursday, February 18, 2021 | 7 pm

Music With the Maestro Live: Over the course of the 2020–2021 season Artistic Director Dennis Keene delves into selected musical works with recorded excerpts and behind-the-scenes insights and stories, including their significance to Voices of Ascension. It all happens live on Zoom. Audience members will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Duruflé's Requiem: Hear Dennis Keene talk about the music for which he is best known: Duruflé’s beloved Requiem. Hear him reminisce about his studies with the composer’s wife, Marie-Madeleine Duruflé, in the Duruflé’s Paris apartment, tell how the extraordinary 1989 Duruflé Festival launched Voices of Ascension, and hear excerpts from the Requiem as the Maestro provides his unique insights.

The event goes live on Zoom Webinar, February 18th at 7pm.

Ticket holders will also be able to view the event on-demand after the initial broadcast.*