Thirty years ago, a friend played a recording of Mozart’s Requiem for me. That was the first time I heard the Requiem. We were in an apartment in Rue Monsieur Le Prince in the Latin Quarter. My mind was on other things - the Requiem sounded solemn, lugubrious even - and in those days I was probably more interested in listening to Jeff Beck than Mozart. Sometimes one has to be patient for the good things in life.
Last night we attended a concert of Mozart?s Requiem performed by the Orchestre Colonne with Frederic Lodeon conducting. Although we?ve attended organ concerts and listened to choral groups sing in various churches throughout Paris, nothing compares with last night?s experience.

The evening began with a Concert for Organ and Orchestra composed by the organist Escaich. It was described by one listener like a tsunami of sound that engulfed every atom of space within the church walls. I immediately began thinking of Space Odyssey movie images. This is a concerto that really lets the organ exercise at full throttle.

And then there was Mozart. Whereas Escaich takes you on a one-way rollercoaster ride leaving you at the summit, Mozart takes you on a glider, wafting in summer breezes, swept away. There is no substitute for hearing the Requiem performed with a chorus in a church. When the singers and orchestra are exceptional and the conductor is brilliantly dynamic, one cannot feel anything but sheer delight and gratitude for having had the opportunity to be witness to such an event.

This particular concert had been sold out for some time, but we followed the advice of the ticket salesperson that we should arrive at the church about half an hour before the concert. Fortunately, some tickets were available.

If you have the opportunity to hear the Orchestre Colonne, you will not be disappointed. To find out more about their upcoming programs, visit their website: www.orchestrecolonne.fr or call
T. 01 42 33 72 89.

The next concert will be held at the recently renovated Salle Pleyel
On May 9th at 8 pm.