A List
4/30/01

UNIVERSITY CHORUS TO PERFORM BRAHMS' REQUIEM

CANTON -- Johannes Brahms' A German Requiem will be performed by 
the University Chorus on Saturday, May 5, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, 
May 6, at 4 p.m. in Gulick Theatre, at St. Lawrence University. 
The concerts are open to the public, free of charge.
	The University Chorus is directed by Barry Torres. Returning 
to sing the soprano and baritone solos will be Stephanie and Albert 
Jensen-Moulton, both of whom were the Gretchen Bence recitalists at 
St. Lawrence in April. The chorus will be joined by its accompanist, 
Barbara Phillips-Farley, and Pamela Reimer, of Montreal, at the piano. 
	"I will admit that I could happily omit the 'German' and simply 
say 'Human,'" wrote Brahms to the rehearsal director for the work's 
premier in 1868. Setting texts of his own choosing from the Bible in 
Luther's translation, he made a highly original and personal statement 
in this orchestral/choral masterpiece. Unlike the traditional Latin 
texts of the Requiem Mass, whose concern is with the spiritual plight 
of the deceased, Brahms' uplifting message is one of consolation and 
comfort for the living. For this performance,  Torres has chosen to use 
Brahms' own arrangement of the orchestral parts for piano four hands, 
made for a private performance in London in 1871. In keeping with the 
spirit of that rendition, the work will be sung in English, using the 
translation made for that occasion.

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