Maurice Duruflé

Maurice Duruflé (1902 – 1986): Missa cum jubilo

Maurice Duruflé was born in Louviers in Normandy. France, in particular Solesmes Abbey, was a centre of choral research with enormous appeal in the early 20th century. Duruflé already came into contact with Gregorian chant during his school days in Rouen, during which he was able to participate intensively in church music, partly because older organists were unable to fulfil their duties due to deployment in World War I. His fascination with choral music would stay with him for the rest of his life. After the war, Duruflé studied at the Conservatoire in Paris, where he later worked as a professor himself. He became known as an organ virtuoso; his compositional oeuvre is not extensive, but is of consistently high quality.

The ‘Missa cum jubilo’ was composed in 1966, and Duruflé subsequently created several versions with varying instrumentation. It is entirely characterised by the mysticism of Gregorian chant, which is particularly evident in the scoring with male voices singing in unison (baritone schola) as well as the melodic line and subject matter: Duruflé based the work on the Gregorian ‘Missa IX cum jubilo’, which is quoted both in the instrumental parts and in the vocal part, combined with free passages modelled on the Gregorian melody. Floating harmonies but also strictly rhythmic elements, powerful sounds and skilful canon formations accompany the simple, free-flowing chorale melody. The tonal centre can still be clearly perceived in the first movements, while the later ones are harmonically freer, leading to cluster formations in the Sanctus.

The work bears the dedication ‘à ma femme’ - it is dedicated to Duruflé's wife Marie-Madeleine, née Chevalier, who was herself a well-known organist.

Dr.ⁱⁿ Maria Helfgott
Translation: Godwin Gundacker

Conductor: Antanina Kalechyts
Organist: Jeremy Joseph
Choir: "Choralschola der Wiener Hofburgkapelle"
 

Celebrant: Peter Schipka

Duration: approx. 75 min (09:15-10:30)

Ticket reservation at  office@hofmusikkapelle.gv.at

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