By Ryan Blessing
The timeless music of Mozart’s “Requiem,” his final composition, filled the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich during a special Palm Sunday evening concert by the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra on April 14.
The orchestra and chorus performed before an audience that almost filled the cathedral, and which included The Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich.
“God has many titles. He is called omnipresent, He is everywhere. He is called omniscient, He knows everything,” the Bishop said. “But one of my favorite titles of God is that He is called beautiful. So I’m very grateful for your voices and your music,” and for bringing that music to God’s house, he said.
ECSO Music Director Toshiyuki Shimada conducted the orchestra, and the ECSO chorus was under the direction of Wendy Moy. The “Requiem in D Minor, K. 626” was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s (1756-1791) final commissioned work, and one that he could not complete before his untimely death at the age of 35. The work marked a new direction for Mozart away from opera and the symphony toward a reform of church music. It was completed by his friend and assistant, Franz Sussmayr.
The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation sponsored the concert, with additional funding from the Knights of Columbus and the American Group. Guests also made donations to St. Vincent de Paul Place. The concert was dedicated to the late Jerry Olson, a longtime ECSO board member.