Sunday, November 22, 2015

Fauré's Requiem

I went to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra tonight.


The VSO website described tonight's offering as follows:


Maestro Bramwell Tovey presents a performance of  Fauré’s luminous and profoundly beautiful Requiem. Stravinsky’s deeply moving Symphony of Psalms and Haydn’s rich and aristocratic Military Symphony set the stage for Fauré’s choral masterpiece.
  • Conductor / Performers

    Bramwell Tovey conductor
    Nathalie Paulin soprano*
    David John Pike baritone*
    Phoenix Chamber Choir *
    UBC University Singers *
    Graeme Langager chorus director

  • Repertoire

    Stravinsky
    Symphony of Psalms*
    Haydn
    Symphony No. 100 in G Major, Military
    Fauré
    Requiem*




    Just before the choral masterpiece the Maestro gave a few touching words about the loss of innocent lives in Paris and other parts of the world earlier in the week. He also encouraged concert goers to give a few moments of silence after the choral requiem. 




    I apologize for the quality of the photos which were taken with my cell phone. I was fumbling and inadvertently had the flash on. I wasn't quick enough to adjust things before all the final bows were finished.


     Afterwards I walked to my bus stop to make my way home. I passed by this building which is obviously light up in honour of France like many buildings around the world.

10 comments:

  1. It must have been a beautiful night at the Orchestra. Our hearts are with the people in Paris.

    ReplyDelete
  2. How thrilling!!! I would have enjoyed this immensely!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It sounds like a wonderful evening.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful! I love symphony orchestras!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Symphony conductors seem to have a good feel for things in the world. He chose a very appropriate time to have the moment of silence.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love concerts of symphony orchestras !!
    Greetings

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks and sounds like a great evening you had.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Joyful, What an excellent experience attending the Symphony. While you were enjoying the music I was watching something on TV that I thought you would want to see. It was on CBS 60 Minutes ... A story about Kenya's unique money system! They are global leaders in this. Here is a link to the story and I hope you can watch it online http://www.cbsnews.com/news/future-of-money-kenya-m-pesa-60-minutes/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi John, yes, it is really fascinating about how the Kenyan's use m-pesa. It has now been operational for many years. It is a great way to send money to people across Kenya and especially where there are no nearby banks. Many people in rural areas and in poor areas do not have a bank account and this way they can have money in an mpesa wallet and send funds to vendors and others through the phone. It is very revolutionary.

      Delete
  9. I love Faure's requiem -- one of my favorite pieces -- and attending the symphony is a special joy for us. I know it was a remarkable experience for you.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting and commenting This blog does not allow Anonymous comments or comments with hotlinks directing readers to another page.

Skywatch Friday

Hello friends and fellow bloggers, It's another rainy day here in Vancouver but sun is in the forecast over the next few days. I hope th...