FAURE’S REQUIEM: AN ELEVATION ABOVE EVERY DAY EXISTENCE

Gabriel Fauré once said, “For me, art, and especially music, exist to elevate us as far as possible above everyday existence.” On April 29, 2023, the UA Little Rock Choirs presented Fauré’s Requiem. It showcased each group’s growth and musical ability through the works of French composer Gabriel Fauré.

The concert starts with the Chamber Singers’ tenors and basses singing “Ave Maria”. It was a beautiful and warm welcome to the concert. The harmonies were beautiful and the organ, played by Colin MacKnight, added such gorgeous resonance to the piece. It was a wonderful introduction to the night that would be full of music.

UA Little Rock Women’s Choir follows after with the song, “Ave Verum.” Collaborative pianist Professor Leann Jones joins the women. The women’s voices were impeccably sweet and graceful. The sopranos sang such pure and effortless sounds combined with the altos’ rich sound making for beautiful melodious music.

The Women’s Choir’s next piece, “Tantum Ergo” included several soloists that exhibited the talents of the women in this choir. It was simply stunning. From the feathery sounds of the sopranos to the stable and resounding sounds of the altos, this piece was so beautifully done.

The next piece was “Tu es Petrus” sung by the Chamber Singers. This piece was so rich and majestic and the harmonies were flawless. The song was a strong declaration sung with triumph.

This song featured a remarkable solo by Andrew Battie. There is so much to say about this performance from the way the group’s voices seemed to soar past the high ceilings of the cathedral to the bellowing sounds of the organ. It was simply wonderful.

Following “Tu es Petrus” was soloist Mya Little singing “Ici Bas.” Mya Little is a powerhouse and is able to procure full and stable sounds with ease. Every song she sings she embodies the character. In this one, she is someone that dreams of a relationship that lasts forever. She takes on the feelings, emotions, and thoughts the musician had when writing the piece. It is amazing to see such a visible and audible passion for music.

Vocalist Mya Little immerses herself in the song and you can’t help but to feel drawn into the song, waiting for her to sing the next note with anticipation. Overall, an outstanding solo from Mya Little.

The next piece is “Cantique de Jean Racine.” The song starts with an enchanting melody on the piano played by Professor Leann Jones, then the basses come in until eventually there is a chorus of singing that sounds like heaven on earth. This song is a prayer for grace. Each voice part shone in this song.

An important part of singing with a group is listening to each other. Being in tune, recognizing, and being present with the people around you is when you create beautiful music. As director Mason has told her students time and time again, “sing together, not just at the same time.”

Finally, the Concert Choir took the stage to sing “Fauré’s Requiem.” Historically, most Requiems were made for funeral masses and those that were sick and dying. This requiem is no different.

However, what separated Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem from others is his focus on deliverance, freedom and the eternal light of death rather than just focusing on the day of judgment, a common theme in other Requiems.

The first movement “Introit Kyrie” is an introduction to the Requiem. The organ resounded throughout the church. The choir’s voices were haunting and heavy. This first movement is an intense ongoing plea of making it to paradise.

“Offertory” is the second movement. You can think of this movement as a group of individual prayers. The sopranos, altos, tenors and basses are not always singing at the same time during this movement, which gives the illusion of multiple people praying at once, starting and stopping at distinct times.

The harmonies in this movement were perfect and so layered. Christian Waldron sang the baritone solo for this piece. His voice was gentle, emotional, and thoughtful capturing the essence of the movement.

The third movement, “Sanctus” highlights the melodic and angelic voices of the sopranos and altos. The movement starts with the tender and sweet voices of the singers before moving into a triumphant call.

After the grandiose nature of the third movement, was the fourth movement “Pie Jesu” sung by soloist Kyndal Collins. Collins is an incredibly talented singer and her solo was delicate and clear, piercing through every corner of the cathedral.

After the outstanding solo was the fifth movement, “Agnus Dei.” This movement is interesting because it goes back and forth between a light airy sound from the tenors and basses and intense, resonant singing from the sopranos and altos.

It encapsulates the heaviness and weight of death, but also the hope of eternal rest, thus the lyrics, “Give them eternal rest, Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon them.”

Moving on to the sixth movement on this journey through Fauré’s Requiem, “Libera Me.” The movement begins with a splendid and rich solo from Waldron, before moving into an energetic and impassioned portion of the movement.

“Libera Me” is complex and is composed of many different emotions, such as anger, bitterness, fear and sadness that the UA Little Concert Choir was able to convey perfectly.

“In paradisum” is the seventh and final movement of the 35-minute composition and it truly is a brilliant ending to a wonderful night of singing.

This movement speaks about the gates of heaven being opened for those that have died and welcoming them into eternal paradise. It is a beautiful and simple invitation to rest.

The sopranos shined in this movement, their voices gracefully reaching such high notes. As the piece came to a close, the notes still ringing in the air, you can’t help but reflect on the tremendous night of singing you just experienced.

As always the UA Little Rock Choirs delivered remarkable performances. This concert was a beautiful finish to a wonderful year. If you would like to watch the full concert it is available on the Trinity Little Rock YouTube Channel. As always, show some love and support for the UA Little Rock Choirs by attending concerts and performances in the future.

BY RIAN NEWMAN