For its May concerts, the Nelson Civic Choir is featuring two short Requiem Masses by the French composers Gabriel Faure and Maurice Durufle. These beautiful reflective settings have been chosen deliberately as a contrast to the more vigorous and dramatic "Nelson Mass" by Haydn that the Choir performed so successfully last October during the Trafalgar celebrations.

Choir member Gillian Kendrick says the Nelson Cathedral provides the ambience necessary for the reflective qualities of these works which are popular in the choral repertoire all over the world.

"Faure's Requiem (1881) is appealing, warm hearted and emotionally moving, with graceful fresh melodies reflecting the composer's belief in death as Œa happy deliverance, and inspiration towards happiness above' - it's s free of Doomsday terror," Mrs Kendrick said. "Then the Durufle Requiem is modelled after, and is in homage to, Faure's Requiem. Again there is no Day of Judgement text. It is a work that's extensively influenced by Gregorian plainchant, giving it meditative serenity. You can almost hear the monks in the cloisters."

Both composers were accomplished organists, and although each mass has been orchestrated, both can also be performed with organ only. This gives the Choir the opportunity to work with promising young local organist Paul Tarling who will also play organ solos in the concert.

Performances are in the Cathedral at 8pm on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th of May and will be conducted by Peter Rainey. Tickets are available at Everyman Records at $20 adult and $15 Students

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