Join us at Croydon Minster for a moving performance of Johannes Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem on Saturday 22 November 2025 at 7:00pm. Unlike traditional Latin requiems, Brahms’ masterpiece is a deeply human meditation on grief and comfort, using German texts drawn from scripture to offer solace to the living. Composed in the wake of personal loss, the work has resonated with audiences for over 150 years. Brahms once wrote, “I confess that I would gladly omit the word ‘German’ and simply call it ‘A Human Requiem’,” reflecting the universal compassion at the heart of the piece.
This performance features the intimate “London version” for piano duet accompaniment, a chamber arrangement Brahms himself approved, allowing the emotional depth of the music to shine through with clarity and warmth.
Presented by the Choir of Croydon Minster under the direction of Justin Miller, the evening showcases the Minster's newly acquired Steinway grand piano, played by Edward Picton-Turberville and Hannah Watson Emmrich. The piano, a gift of the Whitgift Foundation, began life in the Fairfield Halls where it was played by the likes of Elton John, Vladimir Horowitz, Arthur Rubenstein and many other musicians who played in the hall over the course of five decades.
Soloists Nina Bennett (soprano) and Gareth Brynmor John (baritone) bring expressive nuance to Brahms’ poignant vocal writing.
Whether you're a seasoned classical music lover or new to choral repertoire, this is a rare opportunity to experience one of the great choral works in an intimate and atmospheric setting. Tickets are £15, with free entry for students and under 18s.
The Choir of Croydon Minster is renowned for its rich musical tradition and excellence. It includes flourishing choirs of boy and girl choristers who rehearse and perform separately, coming together for special services and concerts throughout the year. The choir also features choral scholars and lower voices, creating a diverse and dynamic musical ensemble that has been heard nationally and internationally on BBC Radio 3 and BBC One.
Edward Picton-Turberville, piano
Hannah Watson Emmrich, piano
Nina Benett, soprano
Gareth Brynmor John, baritone
Justin Miller, conductor
