The Handful - Fauré's Requiem

The Handful's second concert wtih Tomos Watkins at the helm has at its core one of the best-loved works in the entire choral repertoire: Fauré's Requiem. Fauré wrote this marvellously profound work over a period of three years from 1887-1890. The Pie Jesu replaces the Dires Irae that is more commonly heard and by contrast here coarries a line of such exquisite vocal purity and simplicity that it's small wonder that this work holds such enduring popularity.

The theme of light, and starlight in particular, is a never ending source of inspiration for composers. Jonathan Dove begins his portrayal with a musical image of the night sky, depicted by the organ, which sets the choir into wondering who the creator was. Arvo Part's Which Was the Son of... was written to celebrate Reykjavik's status as the European Capital of Culture in 2000. The Icelandic tradtition of passing on names from generation to generation fascinated Part, but as you might imagine this is anything but a simple list of ancient names!

The Handful is delighted to be performing once again with the renowned Peter King (Organist Emeritus Bath Abbey) and for the first time with highly acclaimed baritone soloist Robert Rice in both the Fauré and Vaughan Williams's lusciously lyrical Five Mystical Songs.