We open the evening by unveiling the full brilliance of the recently refurbished Quimby organ with Marcel Dupré’s Prelude and Fugue in B Major. A masterwork of French virtuosity, this piece was written by Duruflé’s own teacher and serves as the ultimate test for the instrument’s 3,599 pipes. From its toccata-like shimmering chords to its complex, dancing fugue, the Dupré showcases the organ’s symphonic warmth and the brilliant, copper Trompette-en-chamade.
Unlike more dramatic settings of the Latin mass, Duruflé emphasizes peace and solace. It is a profound and deeply moving work that offers a contemplative interpretation of the tradition, creating an atmosphere that offers comfort rather than terror. In this intimate “organ version” with the voices of Résonance, blending into a single, breathing entity, perfectly matched to the “symphonic warmth” of the refurbished Quimby organ.
To conclude our journey, we return to a work that has become a cornerstone of our season – Aaron Copland’s quintessential American anthem, ‘The Promise of Living.’ Its return offers a deeper resonance; this celebratory finale transforms spiritual peace into a visceral, communal vision of shared labor and hope—a stirring reminder that the ‘blessings of harvest’ are found in our love for one another.