LEWISTON – Requiems by two French composers that have moved audiences around the world will be performed by the Androscoggin Chorale and the Maine Music Society Orchestra at the Franco Center on Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29.

The compositions are by Gabriel Fauré, and Maurice Duruflé.  John Corrie, the Maine Music Society’s artistic director, said, “These two pieces are frequently paired in concert because they complement each other so well.”
Fauré’s Requiem in D minor, Op. 48, was written between 1887 and 1890. His choral-orchestral setting is the best known of his large works.  Duruflé’s Requiem, op. 9, was published about 50 years in 1947. It was commissioned in 1941 by the collaborationist French-German Vichy regime. Duruflé was still working on the piece at the the end of World War II, and he completed it in 1947, dedicating it to the memory of his father. 
Corrie said horns, trumpets, strings, harp, timpani, and organ of the orchestra will accompany the 70 voices of the Chorale “to provide an experience to remember.”
Under Corrie’s direction, the program opens with the Duruflé work.
At the time of commission, Duruflé was working on an organ suite using themes from Gregorian chants, according to online historical information. He incorporated his sketches for that work into the Requiem, which in its expanded form for full orchestra and chorus, uses numerous themes from the Gregorian “Mass for the Dead.” Nearly all the thematic material in the work comes from chant, according to the online sources.
Soloists for Duruflé’s Requiem are Cynthia McGuire, soprano, and Carl Steidel, bass.
Following intermission, the Androscoggin Chorale will perform an a cappella rendition of “Ubi Caritas” by Duruflé. This choral setting makes use of the Gregorian melody. This centuries-old music has been used as one of the antiphons (call and response) for the washing of feet on Maundy Thursday.
The Fauré composition is a short requiem lasting 35 minutes. It is written for orchestra, organ, mixed chorus and two soloists, soprano and baritone, and is performed in Latin. It consists of seven movements, most famous of which is the central soprano aria, “Pie Jesu.”
Helene St. Hilaire, soprano, is soloist. This requiem also features bass soloist Carl Steidel.
Founded in 1972, the Androscoggin Chorale is an auditioned, mixed-voice community chorus based in Lewiston-Auburn. The group’s diverse repertoire reflects the organization’s desire to explore a broad range of musical genres including contemporary, musical theatre, classical, opera, and oratorio. 
Performances of the Requiems are at The Franco Center at Cedar and Oxford Streets in Lewiston at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult.
For tickets call L/A Arts at 782-7228 or purchase online at www.mainemusicsociety.org.