The Choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul and the Petits chanteurs du Mont-Royal directed by Jean-Sébastien Vallée perform two Requiems by two quintessentially French composers.

On this new recording, Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, op.9, considered a pinnacle of contemporary choral repertoire, is paired with Gabriel Fauré’s moving Requiem, op.48. Accompanied on the organ by Jonathan Oldengarm and with soloists Julie Boulianne (mezzo-soprano) and Philippe Sly (baritone), these sacred works provide a peaceful but thought-provoking listening experience.

The organ of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul was built in the Anglo-American Romantic style in 1931 by Casavant Frères of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. With almost 7000 pipes, it is one of the largest instruments on the island of Montreal. Every summer, the organ is played by a roster of Canadian and international soloists at the church’s annual Organ Intermezzi series.