Voices of Connection: 04/12 Duruflé Requiem: Sanctus

In the midst of his famous Requiem where so much of the music is profound, sometimes full of sadness, Duruflé places this totally uplifting, brilliant Sanctus. Duruflé was indeed a master of balance: we need this movement in the middle of his Requiem. It begins with strings and the gently rippling scales of the organ. The women start the text in gentle 3-part chords. Then, a build-up occurs from far away. Trumpets in the distance hint at what’s coming. The tenors jump in, the strings are whirling away with great excitement. Finally, the bass lines drop to the bottom as the trumpets and voice parts fling themselves up to the highest possible notes. One of the greatest climaxes in all choral music! [This was the final piece we recorded for The Duruflé Album and we went overtime! What you hear is the very final take – made at 11:10pm – completely unedited!!]

-Dennis Keene

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DURUFLÉ Requiem: Sanctus

Voices of Ascension
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director

from the Delos recording The Duruflé Album ℗ 1995 Delos

The singers in this performance are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.


Voices of Ascension