Each of the works featured in this collaborative concert takes comfort in the prospect of a world beyond, whether discerned in the beauty of nature, in the power of human imagination, or in paradise after death.

Presented in Imogen Holst鈥檚 arrangement for chamber orchestra and voices, Britten鈥檚 Rejoice in the Lamb sets the extraordinary poetry of nineteenth-century asylum inmate Christopher Smart. An ecstatic ode to the divine he perceived in abundance in the world around him despite his confinement 鈥� whether in his cat鈥檚 morning ritual, the simple beauty of flowers, or the bravery of a mouse 鈥� Smart鈥檚 text is brought to life by some of Britten鈥檚 most masterly word-setting.

Mahler鈥檚 鈥極 garish world, long since thou hast lost me鈥� takes a contrasting perspective: a rejection of the world鈥檚 mundane tumult in favour of a personal 鈥榟eaven鈥� of love and song. Meanwhile Kim Porter 鈥� herself a former 麻豆官网首页入口 Singer 鈥� sets Harlem Renaissance poet Georgia Douglas Johnson鈥檚 ode to the self-expression and the pursuit of a free and fulfilled life.

At the heart of the programme is Faur茅鈥檚 Requiem, written shortly after the death of the composer鈥檚 father in 1888. A serene, consoling vision of peace and 鈥榟appy deliverance鈥� after death, the work remains one of the most enduringly popular treasures of choral music, and is performed here in the original chamber orchestra version rediscovered by editor John Rutter in Paris鈥� Biblioth猫que nationale after a century of neglect.