Mozart Requiem

WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL CHOIR
& BAROQUE ORCHESTRA

As Christians begin the annual journey through Holy Week, the Cathedral offers Mozart’s Requiem. Played on original instruments of the Classical period, this profound work is performed in the edition completed by his student, Franz Sussmeyr.

The performance begins with the Requiem by Herbert Howells, interpolated with reflective arias from a selection of J.S. Bach’s cantatas. Discovered after the composer’s death, it was written to the memory of Howells’ son, who died of polio at the age of nine. Howells never recovered from this loss and this beautiful unaccompanied miniature Requiem expresses devastation and yet a profound sense of faith.

Program

• Sinfonia – J.S. Bach
• Cantata BWV 4 Christ lag in Todesbanden

• Salvator Mundi (O Saviour of the world)
• Requiem – Herbert Howells

• Arioso - Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwolfe – J.S. Bach
• Cantata BWV 22 Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwolfe

• Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd)
• Requiem aeternam (1)
• Requiem – Herbert Howells

• Aria - Es ist volbracht – J.S. Bach
• Cantata BWV 159 Sehet! Wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem

• Psalm 121 (I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills)
• Requiem aeternam (2)
• Requiem – Herbert Howells

• Aria - Die Seele ruht
• BWV127 Herr Jesu Christ wahr’ Mensch und Gott – J.S. Bach

• I heard a voice from heaven
• Requiem – Herbert Howells

• Chorale - Jesu, deine Passion                                     J.S. Bach
• Cantata BWV 159 Sehet! Wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem

Intermission

• Requiem – W.A. Mozart

Personnel

• Laura Choi Stuart, soprano
• Hannah Hagarty, alto
• Matthew Smith, tenor
• Richard Giarusso, baritone
• Steven Combs, bass/baritone
• Washington National Cathedral Choir
• Washington National Cathedral Baroque Orchestra
• Canon Michael McCarthy, conductor