Maurice Durufle Dennis Keene Franccedilois Le Roux - Durufl Requiem Op9Messe Cum JubiloOp11 (15 tracks) +Album Reviews

Etherial Bliss!

Jeff | Los Angeles, CA | 10/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of Durufle's masterpiece is hands down the best currently available. Written in the 20th century, Durufle can be considered the heir to Faure in a succession of French composers, however adds unique harmonies to medival plainchant melodies. The sound quality is supurb and the Voices of Ascention choir led by Dennis Keene sing with such a pure laser like focused sound reminescent of a boys choir. Maestro Keene's phrasing and shaping of the chant melodies is remarkable.....the Kyrie fugue (2nd mvt) is no easy task to conduct, and Keene extracts brilliance from the thick fabric of polyphony. Durufle revised three versions of his Requiem and all three versions are widely performed. The version on this disc consists of organ and a small chamber orchestra with limited brass. It is a more intimate setting which I believe showcases the organ (Durufle's instrument) and brings the organ to it's intended role without the extraneous woodwind section heard in the full orchestral version. The In Paridisum (or final movement) is perhaps the best I've heard performed.....the organ chant melody heard in the final 5 bars is played as if the organist was singing the melody instead of playing it....this critical moment has been ignored and overlooked on other recordings (such as Michele Plasson's EMI 2000 release) in which the organ used is out of tune. Also on this disc is the Missa Cum Jubilo for mens chorus, organ and small orchestra, which is performed beautifully. Durulfe's literature consists of precious few compositions...only a handful of organ compositions, a requiem, the missa cum jubilo and 4 motets...his final composition Notre Pere (on this CD) is performed well too. It's a pity Durufle did not compose more.....his performance schedule while he was alive kept him from composing. One final note, conductor Dennis Keene was a good friend of maestro Durufle and protege of Durufle's wife who herself was also a famous organ virtuoso who no doubt influenced Keene on many artistic decisions, so this recording can be considered to be a first hand interpretation from the composer himself.purchase your copy today!"

A Most Unique Requiem

John Keady | Reston, VA USA | 05/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Requiems of many composers tend to run from one extreme to another. Either they are powerhouse epics meant to celebrate the departed or they are morose journeys into the darkness of the afterlife. Durufle has found a middle ground that evokes a vision of death that is ethereal and spiritual. There a moments of musical perfection, especially in the first movement and the blending of chant with the harmonics of 20th century composition make for a blend that will be heaven to the ears."

Plainsong in an ethereal wrapper

John Keady | 04/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Delos recording, conducted by Mr. Keene (a student of Madame Durufle) contains Maurice Durufle's small ensemble and organ setting of traditional Gregorian plainsong pieces used for the Requiem Mass as well as the orchestration for the "Cum Jublio". The final piece is an incredibly soothing setting of the Lord's Prayer. The musicianship is supurb. Another version of Durufle's Requiem was a favorite, however this version has grown into THE favorite of all the various composer's Requiems in the collection. The recording is taxing to all but the best audio systems. (The organ pedals in the "Pie Jesu" can loosen fillings.) From a sonic/musical perspective, it's worth the price plus some, from a spiritual perspective it is priceless."

A Compassionate and Definitive Performance of the Durufle Re

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Maurice Durufle's hauntingly beautiful Requiem remains a rara avis in the musical repertoire from the last century. A brilliant organist and fine composer, Durufle (1902 - 1986) left us with relatively few works for organ and voices - the Missa "Cum Jubilo", for baritone, baritone chorus, orchestra & organ, Op. 11 and the Notre P?re for male voices & organ, Op. 14 are included on this fine recording - but his Requiem remains one of the jewels of the 20th century composition. Unlike most other requiems the Durufle version is related to Gregorian chant and uses the organ as an important aspect of the fabric of the work. This is a work of compassion and solace and is one of the more mystical settings of the requiem mass ever composed.

The chief reason, then, for recommending this CD so highly is the performance of the Requiem with Dennis Keene conducting the Voices of Ascension Orchestra and Chorus ably assisted by Richard Locker, Patricia Spence, Mark Kruczek, and Kathleen Bride. Keene knows his way in and out and through this work, having studied with the Durufles and having performed the work countless times. His vision is clear and he guides the very beautiful Voices of Ascension Ensemble through a reading that is at once compassionate and mystically detached! That is a rare feat, but Keene's clear conducting and balances achieved with the organ, chorus and soloists is astonishingly fine.

While most classical music collectors doubtless have at least one recording of the Durufle Requiem in collection, this CD surpasses them all (yes, even the Robert Shaw version) and deserves a high position in the ranks of recorded choral works. Hearing it again during Holy Week adds an entirely new dimension to the appreciation of this truly excellent recording. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, April 06

"

Another win for Voices of Ascension

Lyle Chalupsky | Highlands Ranch, CO United States | 10/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have long held Voices of Ascension compilations in my collection (and my heart). My personal favorite is "From Chant to Renaissance", but this is a close second. While Durufle is likely considered a "modern" composer, he draws many of his themes in these pieces from traditional chants, then wraps them with modern phrasing that draws the traditional into today's world. It is a very satisfying and appealing melding of the past with curent voicing for those who are open to the intricacies of the strains. I am not a formally trained choral musician, but love the art form and have worked with groups that have performed works from the traditional masters up through today's emerging composers. Consistently, the performances of the Voices of Ascension satisfy both the heart and the spirit."

Search - Maurice Durufle, Dennis Keene, François Le Roux :: Duruflé: Requiem Op.9/Messe Cum Jubilo,Op.11

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