Faure Requiem performed with great aplomb

The Faure Requiem remains a hugely popular part of the choral repertoire, and justifiably so.

It ends with a wonderful sense of peace and tranquillity, different from most of the other Requiems with which amateur choirs like to entertain us.

The concern before Saturday’s performance by the St Andrews Chorus in the Younger Hall, was the balancing of a large choral sound with the accompaniment of organ and a small group of musicians.

In the event, the combination worked well. The choir produced a good volume, wellcontrolled in the more forceful passages, such as the Dies Irae.

More surprising was the beautifully ethereal tone produced in the quieter passages, such as the Sanctus, with a sweet violin solo from Feargus Hetherington, and the final In Paradisum.

There are brief solo roles. Undergraduate Catherine Hooper gave a beautifully poised account of the Pie Jesu.

The baritone solos were taken by returning graduate Ben McAteer, who is now set on a professional career and it is a treat that he can still fit in the occasional visit north.

Good pieces to precede the Faure were also found. Stanford’s rarely heard Songs of the Fleet was the perfect medium.

Three of the pieces are jolly in sea shanty style, while the central movement and last Fare Well have great depth and were beautifully sung.