Sri Lankan premiere of Rutter’s Requiem by The Colombo Philharmonic Choir

The Colombo Philharmonic Choir, one of the oldest performing choral groups in the country, will present John Rutter’s Requiem this April. This is the first occasion on which this work is being performed in Sri Lanka. The performance will take place on Sunday, 3 April at St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk, Galle Road, Colombo 3.

The version being performed by the Colombo Philharmonic Choir is for choir, organ and instrumental ensemble. The ensemble will comprise of Flute, Oboe, Horn, Cello, Timpani, Glockenspiel and synthesized Harp. The organist will be Denham Pereira, Director of Music – St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk. The soloist featured will be renowned Soprano, Anagi Perera and the performance will be under the direction of Manilal Weerakoon.

The Requiem was completed by Rutter (b. 1945) in 1985 and is one of his more advanced works. This work is still performed regularly across the world, and is widely recognised as one of the most popular compositions of the last 30 years. It was created on the death of Rutter’s father, and is indebted to Gabriel Fauré’s sole contribution to that same genre.

Sometimes mournful, at other times gently consoling, the work displays Rutter’s skillful use of turbulent harmonic changes and typically lyrical melodic lines in vividly depicting the transition from a desperate search for rest, to the hope of eternal peace. Traditional in its inspiration, the selection of the common liturgical Latin text in Rutter’s Requiem is broadened by the incorporation of relevant biblical texts, including English translations of Psalms 23 and 130.

The performance will take place at 7 p.m. and entrance will be by Programme, which will be available at the door.