Fauré's Requiem / Bernstein's Chichester Psalms | Royal Choral Society

The Royal Choral Society, the London Mozart Players and a trio of soloists perform two ebullient American musical masterpieces alongside two reflective French classics. Bernstein’s exhilarating jazz-inspired setting of the Hebrew psalms for chorus and soloists, commissioned by Chichester Cathedral, and Copland’s much-loved ballet suite Appalachian Spring provide an inspirational contrast to Fauré‘s ever-popular Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine.

The Royal Choral Society has been performing the great choral masterpieces ever since its formation for the opening of the Royal Albert Hall in 1871, including the UK premières of Verdi’s Requiem in 1875, and Dvorak’s Stabat Mater in 1884, both concerts conducted by their composers. The choir is particularly delighted to mark Bernstein's centenary year with a performance of a work commissioned by their late associate Dr John Birch, former organist at Chichester Cathedral.

Founded in 1949 the London Mozart Players is the UK’s longest established chamber orchestra. Known for its unmistakable British roots, the orchestra has developed an outstanding reputation for adventurous, ambitious programming from Baroque through to genre-crossing contemporary music.