Fauré: Requiem
French composer Gabriel Fauré’s (1845-1924) Requiem, a mass for the dead, is a seven-part work that he began composing in 1887. The final, revised version for soprano soloist, baritone soloist, mixed choir, organ, and orchestra was completed in 1893. The version heard here has been arranged for a smaller ensemble, featuring violin, cello, and organ in addition to the soloists and mixed choir.
Fauré composed the work for his own amusement, as he himself said, even though his father had died two years before he began composing it and his mother died while he was composing it. The work was also performed at the composer’s own funeral in 1924. Fauré said of his composition: “Everything I have managed to preserve as a religious illusion, I have set to music in my Requiem, which from beginning to end is dominated by a very human belief in eternal rest.” Fauré saw death as a happy liberation, a striving toward happiness above, rather than a painful experience. All of this can be heard in his incredibly beautiful Requiem, which is full of comfort and hope.
The first part of the concert features Tauno Pylkkänen’s (1918-1980) composition Kuoleman joutsen (Swan of Death). Tauno Pylkkänen served as artistic director of the Finnish National Opera from 1960 to 1969, music critic, and above all composer. He composed his song cycle Kuoleman joutsen based on five poems from the collection of the same name by Aino Kallas (1878-1956). As a composer, Pylkkänen’s style of writing music is considered veristic, which means it uses dramatic musical elements and a style that depicts strong emotions. The version of the song cycle The Swan of Death heard here is Matti Makkonen’s arrangement for singer, violin, cello, and piano.
The soloists in the concert are soprano Päivi Pylvänäinen and baritone Joonas Orrain. The choir is the Etelä-Savo Provincial Choir. The instrumental ensemble features violinist Susanna Mieskonen-Makkonen and multi-talented musician and cellist Matti Makkonen, who is also the concert’s musical director. The pianist and organist will be announced later. The concert is being organized in collaboration with the South Savo Music Theater and Opera Association (ESMO ry).
The concert will be held at Rantasalmi Church, which is wheelchair accessible. There will be no intermission during the concert. Remember to take advantage of the cultural benefits offered by your employer. If you are paying with Epass or Smartum, select a basic ticket. Members of the Joroisten Musiikkiyhdistys music association are eligible for member tickets. You can get a discounted ticket to this concert with your S-Etukortti card.
