Mozart - Requiem. Wheeler - I sing, and ever shall

Southampton Philharmonic Choir & Southampton University Philharmonic Choir

The composition of Mozart’s magnificent Requiem is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. It was commissioned in 1791 by a “mysterious man in grey”, whom Mozart, already very ill, took to be a visitation from the grave. Following Mozart’s death later that year, the work was completed by others, but includes enough of Mozart’s genius to be a masterpiece.

The concert also features the world premiere of Janet Wheeler’s I sing, and ever shall, an exciting new commission that celebrates the power and joy of singing, both individually and collectively. Poets throughout the ages have explored the link between air and breath, words and song; the libretto draws largely on poetry, including words from verses by Robert Herrick, Emily Dickinson, Rabindranath Tagore, Abraham Cowley and Sara Teasdale. There’s also a joyful movement inspired by Scottish mouth music and vocal exercises, which is proving to be a great favourite with many of the singers. The finale sets a poem by Robert Herrick as an extended, lively moto perpetuo, generating an atmosphere of excitement and relish as Herrick lists the varied subjects of many of his poems. The music builds to a climactic conclusion on the words of the title ‘I Sing and Ever Shall’, a confident assertion for any choir to embrace.

This is a unique opportunity to hear a brand new composition paired with one of the most recognisable in the choral repertoire.

The programme opens with Mozart’s Serenade No 6 (Serenata Notturna) K, 239, a lively and spirited piece in three short movements, scored for two small groups: a kind of concertino consisting of two violins, viola, and bass, and a tutti made up of strings and timpani.