Stéphane Denève conducts Fauré's Requiem

Stéphane Denève leads the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Groot Omroepkoor in Fauré's famous Requiem. Also on the program are the Danses by Debussy with Joost Willemze as harp soloist.

Joost Willemze plays the Danses by Debussy
A concert focusing on the sacred and profane in French music of the late 19th century. It opens with Debussy's Épigraphes antiques, in which the composer focuses on the exoticism of European ancient civilizations, a theme that Escher reinforces in his subtle orchestration of this work. That ancient world is also the theme in the same composer's Danse sacrée et Danse profane, with a sacred dance like Greek temple ceremony juxtaposed against a sensual profane dance. The soloist is Joost Willemze, the young harpist who was a participant in the talent program "AVROTROS Klassiek presents!" in 2022.

Stéphane Denève with Fauré's Requiem.
Everything leads to the main composer of this program: Gabriel Fauré. From him two short works, beginning with the famous Pavane in the vocal version. Sacred is his Psalm 136, a youthful work intended as a transitional examination from the conservatory. The Requiem is Fauré's best-known masterpiece. He composed it as a personal, almost loving reflection on death and impermanence. "My Requiem is as gentle as myself," in his own words. Soloists, chorus and orchestra are conducted by Stéphane Denève, principal conductor of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony and, as of this season, regular guest conductor of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.