The Choir of St Marylebone Parish Church

Ben McAteer, baritone

Lucy Hall, soprano

Elizabeth Burgess, piano

Gavin Roberts, piano/director

It was in 1871, at the home of a leading surgeon and his musical wife, that the first British performance of Brahms’s A German Requiem took place. The version performed was the composer’s own arrangement for piano duet, chorus and soloists. This surprising London connection came about through Julius Stockhausen, who has been baritone soloist in the German première of 1868 and was a friend of Sir William and Lady Thompson (also one of the piano duettists) of Wimpole Street. The choir of St Marylebone Parish Church recreate this original domestic performance with pianists Elizabeth Burgess, who plays Lady Thompson, alongside St Marylebone Director of Music Gavin Roberts, directing from the keyboard. In the manner of contemporary chamber performances, songs and piano music by Franz Schubert are included to complement the Requiem.

Johannes Brahms (1833-97), Ein Deutsches Requiem

Franz Schubert (1897-1828), Du bist die Ruh' D776 (text: Friedrich Rückert); Rondo in A D 951 (piano duet); Totengräbers Heimweh D 482 (text: J N von Craigher)