Mirinesse Singers

Jane Hill, Maxine Richardson, Bobbi Shepherd,

Mirinesse Singers
Kate Shepherd, Jo Wheatley,

Lesley Amey, Eleanor Chadd, Sarah Chadd,

Ruth Charlesworth, Alice Haley, Sarah Le Sage,
Fauré

Requiem
Sue Abrams, Charlotte Gernert, Julia Knight,
Ann Wright

Soloists - Bobbi Shepherd & Jo Wheatley

Director - Samantha Graper

Organ - Peter Graper

Flute - Ann Wright

Forthcoming Events
Sing! Concert in aid of Peterborough Samaritans

St. Mary’s Church, St. John’s Street, Peterborough Saturday 24th March
Wednesday 4th July
7:30pm
St. Mary Magdalene
Church, Fleet
www.mirinessesingers.weebly.com
 Mirinesse Singers Music for Passiontide
The starting point for this concert was when I found an edition
of Fauré’s Requiem for female voices. I have loved this piece
Stabat Mater Dolorosa Plainchant
since I sang it as a young chorister and rehearsing this lovely
Verbum Patris Humanatur
arrangement has been a real pleasure.
Cambridge University Library Ff.i.17 Fauré composed his Requiem between 1887 and 1890, quite
probably in response to the recent death of his Father. In many
Benedictus William Byrd ways, his version is subtle and understated, but this belies an
Adoramus Te, Christe Orlando de Lassus ethereal beauty. Unlike other settings, he omits the dramatic
Dies Irae and Tuba Mirum, including instead the lyrical Pie
O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß Jesu and transcendent In Paradisum. For me, it is this final
(O Man, mourn your grievous sin) J.S. Bach (BWV 622) movement, with its prevailing peacefulness and serenity, which
clings to my heart and brings hope and peace.
As this concert is taking place during Passiontide, I decided to
Reamo Leboga Botswana
find music to fit this season and, as is often the case in the choir’s
Sanna Sannanina South Africa
concerts, I have planned a programme, which takes us from
early music, via Africa, to contemporary choral offerings.
The Time For Turning Craig Courtney I composed my setting of Ave Maris Stella for the choir’s last
Ave Maris Stella Samantha Graper concert at Fleet Church, two years ago and, being able to visit
the church again was a great excuse to have this piece
performed again.
Interval Having taught in Africa, I enjoy directing and performing
music from there and it was a fascinating opportunity to
Requiem Fauré research music appropriate for this period. Sanna Sannanina
Edited Desmond Ratcliffe means “Hosanna” and would therefore traditionally be
performed tomorrow, Palm Sunday. The songs exemplify the
typical texture of Call and Response and typify the African
I Introit – Kyrie
style of close harmony.
II Offertorium
Three different textures are explored in the early music of
III Sanctus tonight’s programme, opening with monophony, moving through
IV Pie Jesu homophony and finally into polyphony, neatly demonstrating
V Agnus Dei one of the key western musical developments.
VI Libera Me I hope you enjoy tonight’s concert and I would like to thank
VII In Paradisum Rev. Adrian Mason for welcoming us to the church, once again.