Ein deutsches Requiem,
Johannes Brahms
Te Deum in C and Jubilate,
Benjamin Britten
Saturday 25th May 2013, 7.30pm
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Royal Choral Union
Tallaght Choral Society
Soloists: Emily Mitchell, soprano
Trevor Bowes, baritone
Edinburgh Pro Musica Orchestra
Conductor: Michael Bawtree
This concert marks the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten with performances of his spritely Te Deum and Jubilate before our attention turns to Johannes Brahms’ finest choral work. Just 33 years old when he completed most of Ein deutsches Requiem, Brahms already had a very personal perspective on mourning, inspired as it was by the deaths of both his mother and his mentor Robert Schumann. Brahms’ text, which he compiled from Luther’s German translation of the Bible, seeks to create a tapestry of solace to comfort the living who must deal with and accept death – none of the fireworks or drama of Mozart or Verdi are to be found here. Brahms later wrote: “As for the title, I must admit I should like to leave out the word ‘German’ and refer instead to ‘Humanity’.”
The Edinburgh Royal Choral Union collaborates for the first time with the Tallaght Choral Society, one of Ireland’s most highly regarded choirs, for this performance of Britten and Brahms. The massed chorus is joined by the Edinburgh Pro Musica Orchestra, soloists Emily Mitchell and Trevor Bowes, all under conductor Michael Bawtree.
Tickets on sale at the Usher Hall – www.usherhall.co.uk/0131 228 1155