Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/03/2026
7:30 pm
Location
Pasadena Presbyterian Church
Category(ies)
Good Friday Concert Features Two Requiems from Maurice Duruflé and Dan Locklair (Photo – Friends of Music at Pasadena Presbyterian)
The free 28th Good Friday Devotional Concert is set to premiere one Requiem and feature another shaped by Gregorian themes of the Mass for the Dead, sung and supported by Pasadena Presbyterian Church’s resident and guest singers with the Friends of Music Orchestra, at 7:30 pm on Friday, April 3rd.
Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem is paired with the West Coast premiere of Dan Locklair’s Requiem. Timothy Howard conducts this “must experience” program.
Maurice Duruflé wrote that “this Requiem is entirely composed on the Gregorian themes of the Mass for the Dead. Sometimes the musical text was completely respected, the orchestral part intervening only to support or comment on it; sometimes I was simply inspired by it or left it completely. In general, I have sought above all to enter into the characteristic style of the Gregorian themes, [among which are holiness, lyricism, free flowing meter…and serenity]. The strong beats had to lose their dominant character in order to take on the same intensity as the weak beats in such a way that the rhythmic Gregorian accent or the tonic Latin accent could be placed freely on any beat of our modern tempo.
”This Requiem is not an ethereal work which sings of detachment from earthly worries. It reflects, in the immutable form of the Christian prayer, the agony of [humans] faced with the mystery of [their] ultimate end. It is often dramatic, or filled with resignation, or hope or terror, just as the words of the Scripture themselves, which are used in the liturgy. It tends to translate human feelings before their terrifying, unexplainable of consoling destiny. In Paradisum [marks] the ultimate answer of Faith to all the questions by the flight of the soul to Paradise.”
Dan Locklair writes that his “Requiem…was primarily composed in between commissions over a two year period of time (2012–2014) and was originally intended for organ accompaniment only. Appearing to be finished in February 2014, I realized that an extensive revision was needed. This revision, which included the addition of string orchestra, as begun late in December 2014 and completed on 3 April 2015 (Good Friday). Requiem is now preferably performed incorporation both organ and string orchestra accompaniment, but it may still be performed with organ alone. Envisioned in 1986 (following my father’s death), the creation of Requiem received new impetus in 2005 (following my mother’s death). Thus, Requiem was composed in memory of my parents…. As an only child, I was very close to both of my parents will ever be grateful to each of them for their deep, unselfish love and ongoing influence on my life. May they rest in peace and may this Requiem be a small, yet fitting, memorial to their rich lives.”
There is no reception following this performance.
Parking around PPC’s campus is undergoing some changes, which may or may not have been fully implemented by the City of Pasadena by April 3. Check posted signs and the newly-installed parking meter kiosks in the block in which you park. Also see our parking information page and the City’s Playhouse District parking information page.
Program:
Maurice Duruflé: Requiem
Dan Locklair: Requiem (West Coast premiere)
Artists:
- Kirk Choir of Pasadena Presbyterian Church with members of Trinity Choir and guest Community Singers
- The Pasadena Singers
- Judith Siirila Paskowitz
- Bonnie Snell Schindler
- Sheen Sanchez
- Michael Daniels
- The Friends of Music Orchestra
- Michelle Kardos
- Timothy Howard, conductor
Good Friday Devotional Concert: Two Requiems Friday, April 3, 2026 7:30 pm Location Pasadena Presbyterian Church 585 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101 Free Program. Voluntary Offering.
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