Choirs join for special concert
Trinity Chancel Choir will join the West Virginia University Concert Choir in presenting Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem in D Minor’ at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Uniontown. The concert will feature soprano soloist Elizabeth Zell, harpist Christine Mazza, organist Jim Hutchinson and instrumentalists from WVU that include horns and solo viola and violin.
Jason Keefer will conduct the program at Trinity. The choral concert is part of his work towards a doctorate at WVU, where he has been working with Dr. Kathleen Shannon.
“We both like this work and thought it would be nice to do a joint effort,’ said Keefer, music director for Trinity.
The choirs also will come together a week earlier at WVU, where they will join with a choir from Slippery Rock University.
According to information supplied by Keefer, “Gabriel Faure (1845-1924) was professor of composition at the Paris Conservatoire from 1905-1920. His somewhat austere, musical style and highly individual impressionistic harmonic language contrasts markedly with the music of the Austor-German tradition, which dominated European music from the time of Beethoven until well into the 20th century.
“Faure began work on his ‘Requiem’ in 1887 when he was in his 40s. Although he said he began the composition ‘for the pleasure of it,’ many scholars feel the composition was quite possibly a response to the recent death of his father. About the time of the work’s first performance, Faure’s mother also died, giving the work additional poignancy.
“The ‘Requiem’ consists of seven parts (all text in Latin): Introit et Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy), Offertoire, Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy), Pie Jesu (Blessed Jesus, in Thy mercy grant them rest), Agnus Dei et Lux Aeterna (Lamb of God), Libera Me (Lord I pray, deliver me) and In Paradisum (God’s holy angels, lead you to paradise).’
Keefer noted that most people will recognize “Pie Jesu.’
Asked why he selected the piece, Keefer said, “I really like French music but I think this is a very beautiful piece for a requiem. Some have a very dark nature to them. This has a serene and very comforting vision of heaven.’
Trinity Chancel Choir includes between 15 to 20 members, while the WVU Concert Choir will include up to 50 members.
The concert is open to the public and free of charge. It is the last concert in Trinity’s Recital Series until fall. Anyone interested in being placed on the recital mailing list, can call the church at 724-437-2709.
Trinity United Presbyterian Church is located at 79 W. Fayette St. in Uniontown. The Rev. Michael Orsted is pastor.