The Song Company ‘Brahms’ Requiem’

Brahms’ mighty romantic masterpiece is performed as as a powerful chamber work in this intimate version for an ensemble of soloists and two pianos. The principal artists of The Song Company along with the emerging voices of singers from its Apprentice Program and legendary pianist Gerard Willems AM collaborate with Artistic Director Antony Pitts and Associate Artistic Director Francis Greep, in an evening of music from the Early and Romantic eras that promises beauty and pathos.

The program: Thomas Tallis –Sancte Deus/ Marc’Antonio Ingegneri – Tenebrae factae sunt/ Johannes Brahms – Variations on a Theme of Haydn (St Antony Variations)/ – Interval –/ Johannes Brahms – Ein deutsches Requiem

Dedicated to humankind, Brahms’ Requiem is unlike any other that came before. Written in his native German, rather than Latin, it rejects the traditional requiem mass’ focus on divine justice, rather offering hope and solace for those left behind. While the music evokes that of Schumann, Beethoven and Bach, it is also influenced by the intricate polyphony of the 16th Century, yet is unmistakably Brahmsian in architecture and scale.

The program also features his major work for two pianos, the Variations on a Theme of Haydn, with Willems joined by Associate Artistic Director Francis Greep, and some of the most hauntingly beautiful a-cappella music in the repertoire.

The performers:

Sopranos: Amy Moore Principal Artist/ Chloe Lankshear Principal Artist

Mezzo-sopranos: Hannah Fraser Emeriti Artist / Janine Harris Associate Artist

Tenors: Dan Walker Principal Artist/ Ethan Taylor Associate Artist

Baritone: Jack Stephens Associate Artist

Bass: Christopher Richardson Guest Artist

​ and students from the Conservatorium High School

Roberta Diamond Principal Artist – Language Coach

Pianos: Gerard Willems Guest Artist /Francis Greep Associate Artistic Director

Antony Pitts Artistic Director – Conductor