By Megan Erbacher, The Message editor
As we approach Holy Week, all are welcome and invited to join St. Benedict Cathedral Parish as the UE Music Conservatory presents “Eternal Light.” The free concert is at 7:30 p.m. CDT April 8 at St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Avenue in Evansville.
The concert will feature the University of Evansville University Choir, UE Choral Society and guest choir from First Presbyterian Church in Evansville. The concert will include performances of “Requiem, Op. 9” by Maurice Duruflé, plus works by English composers Thomas Tallis and Charles Wood, American composer Morten Lauridsen, as well as the world premiere of “Remembered Light” by American composer William Averitt, commissioned for the UE University Choir.
“A work like the ‘Requiem’ is particularly meaningful to Catholics during Lent,” said Jeremy Korba, Diocese of Evansville director of music and St. Benedict Cathedral director of liturgical music. “From ancient melodies and texts to powerful music, this musical journey in the Cathedral space will provide some much-needed time to reflect on Lent and the coming Easter mysteries.”
Korba explained that it’s a “special opportunity to hear some beautiful music performed by some passionate local musicians.” Though it is a popular work, Korba said it’s not one you get to experience all the time.
“The ‘Requiem’ text and its prayerful exploration of death and resurrection is particularly meaningful as we approach Holy Week,” he said. “We also get the added benefit of a premier performance of a new choral work; a very exciting opportunity!”
UE Professor of Music Dennis Malfatti, who also serves as UE Conservatory co-director, director of choral activities and music education, explained that the program “Eternal Light” will “feature timeless choral works written for the Christian church.”
All of the works featured have the theme of light, Malfatti explained.
“From the prayer ‘Lux Aeterna,’ invoking eternal light to shine on the souls of the departed as we hear in Duruflé’s ‘Requiem,’ to the image of the Transfigured Christ as the redeeming light of the world, as heard in the works by Tallis and Lauridsen,” he said.
“Some of the most exquisite works of artistic expression have emerged from the Church, from the architecture of places like St. Peter’s in Rome or Notre Dame in Paris, to the paintings of Michaelangelo and the sculptures of Bernini, to the timeless music of great composers,” Malfatti said. “The French, Roman Catholic composer Maurice Duruflé was among those composers. Rooted in the Gregorian chants of the church, Duruflé’s ‘Requiem, Op. 9’ is universally considered his greatest composition. It mixes both the ancient, in its use of chant melodies dating back to the middle ages, with the modern in the way Duruflé incorporates the harmonies and textures of his French contemporaries like Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.”
Korba said he is “honored” that St. Benedict Cathedral’s pipe organ, constructed by Parsons Pipe Organ Builders of Canandaigua, New York, will be prominently featured in the “Requiem.”
Among the features of Duruflé’s “Requiem” is its prominent and demanding organ part, Malfatti said.
“In fact, at times, the work almost sounds like an organ concerto,” he said. “We are very fortunate to have Robert Nichols, adjunct instructor of organ at UE and Music Director at First Presbyterian Church in Evansville as the featured organist for this performance.”
In addition to the repertoire on the program, Malfatti said the people make this concert special. Between the UE University Choir, which consists entirely of UE students; the UE Choral Society, which is a combination of UE students and community members from throughout the Tri-State; and the Choir of First Presbyterian Church, attendees can expect a varied mix of singers spanning a wide range of ages.
Korba invites everyone to “experience amazing music in a beautiful, prayerful space” at the Cathedral.
“I think the evening promises to be truly inspirational,” Malfatti said.
For more information, visit music.evansville.edu.