We asked Music Director Emily Cox to share with us what the Fauré and Duruflé Requiems meant to her, on the eve of our performance of them on Oct 13 2024.

Brisbane Chorale last performed the Fauré Requiem and Duruflé Requiem in 2016. What made you decide to revisit these works?

First and foremost, I love these two works. It felt like the right time to get them back up and running in our repertoire. We have lots of new members to share these works with as well. To me, it feels like the world needs a dose of inspirational music, so I was keen for us to share this music with a Brisbane audience in a fantastic space like City Hall. I’ve performed the Duruflé many times with Christopher Wrench playing the truly virtuosic organ accompaniment and it’s always been so enjoyable (and exciting) to put together. Performing the Fauré with Sinfonia of St Andrew’s is something I really look forward to as well. That orchestra is such a talented and committed group of musicians, and I always enjoy working with them – their love of the music is palpable! So together, choir, soloists, orchestra and organ, we hope to share that love with the audience.

The Fauré Requiem is a very well known and iconic piece. What do you enjoy most about it?

I love its variety of mood, its warmth, its expressiveness. I’ve had this work in my life since school, in fact, same with the Duruflé, so they both feel like part of my life. The Fauré has such appeal, with unforgettable melodies, poignant musical “conversations”, breathtaking climaxes, tender quiet moments. I love how other people love it so much too, and how the work means so much to so many.

Some who attend this concert may not be as familiar with the Duruflé work. What do you think will (hopefully) make them fall in love with it?

While Duruflé’s Requiem feels different in many ways from the Fauré, I think it has similar expressive power and contrasting moods, with the most divine ethereal passages and some of the most incredible musical climaxes. It’s a beautifully balanced and fulfilling piece of music. When people hear it for the first time, I’ve heard them say things like “why haven’t I ever heard this”, “this is now one of my favourite pieces”, “such transformative music” and so on. I think it really has a profound impact on the listener.