Magical sounds in Baringer Münster: Concert with Fauré and Chaminade!

Magical sounds in Baringer Münster: Concert with Fauré and Chaminade!

A special musical event will soon take place in Neuburg an der Donau. The Neuburger Liederkranz dedicates its 35th Baringer church concert to the great composers from France, Gabriel Fauré, Cécile Chaminade and Francis Poulenc. On Sunday, October 27th, at 5 p.m., the Baringer Minster will light up with an impressive program that includes Fauré's Requiem, a Concertino by Chaminade and the Gloria by Poulenc.

The musical director, Martin Göbel, together with the flautist Nicola Göbel, carefully planned this acoustic journey through French musical history. The entire experience will be conveyed by the Neuburger Liederkranz, while Dieter Sauer's orchestra and some musicians from Neuburg will take on the instrumental parts. There will also be well-known singers such as Doris Döllinger and Daniel Sauer, who will enrich the concert with their singing performances.

A look at Gabriel Fauré

Gabriel Fauré, who grew up in the picturesque Carcassonne region for several years, is considered one of the most outstanding composers of his time. His musical training began early with the harmonium and piano, and at the age of nine he was accepted at the Paris School of Church Music. His mentor, the famous composer Camille Saint-Saëns, became his lifelong companion. Fauré's Requiem, a very personal work, was written between the deaths of his father and mother, but is not directly inspired by these losses. It is often said that it was performed at his own funeral.

In the Requiem, Fauré deviates from the traditional funeral masses by foregoing dramatic depictions. Rather, the emphasis is on a gentle and comforting image of death. Instead of the usual “Dies irae” he restricts himself to setting the last verse, “Pie Jesu”, to music. This approach, along with “In paradisum,” conveys a feeling of peace and hope.

Cecile Chaminade and Francis Poulenc

Cécile Chaminade, a talented composer, was born into a wealthy family, which gave her a musical education. Despite her father's initial concerns, the talented musician didn't let herself get down. With George Bizet as her advocate, she created a number of works, particularly for piano and orchestra. Her “Concertino for Flute and Orchestra” is still highly valued today, even though her work fell into oblivion in the second half of the 20th century.

Francis Poulenc, on the other hand, belonged to a group of young composers who called themselves “Les Six”. After the First World War, he turned away from Impressionism and developed his own style, which was characterized by simplicity and clarity. Poulenc, influenced by Dada and popular melodies, created some important sacred works, including his “Gloria,” which will be heard in the upcoming concert.

The 35th Baringer Church Concert offers an excellent opportunity to experience France's musical heritage. Tickets are available on the Neuburger Liederkranz website and at the concert box office. Whether online or directly on site, no one should miss the opportunity to hear these outstanding pieces. For those interested, there is additional personal support with ticket sales in local shops such as Ringfoto Spieß and the Klosterbräu in Bergen.

The concert promises not only musical highlights, but also a deeper connection to the cultural history of the composers and their works. Be there when the sounds of Fauré, Chaminade and Poulenc sound and let yourself be carried away into the world of French music.