Weymouth Choral Society dedicated its performance of the much-loved “Requiem” by Gabriel Fauré to the memory of their former musical director, John Wycliffe-Jones who died on 19th February aged 90. John was musical director of the society from 1978 to 2000 during which time he led the centenary celebrations in 1991/2. His tenure culminated in a concert with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra when he conducted the Fauré Requiem. John was very much involved in the local music scene, having led the Operatic Society, been organist at St Mary’s Church, Weymouth and later other churches, and a great supporter of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. So it seems an appropriate tribute to this man to perform the last work he conducted for Weymouth Choral Society in the church where he was organist for so many years. Members of his family will be attending the concert and have asked that a bucket collection be held to the benefit of Weymouth Choral Society.
The requiem was originally composed in 1888. This popular work has a prevailing mood of calm and serenity with an ethereal quality that never fails to move the listener. The choir was joined by local organist David Bruce-Payne and soloists Michael Dewis (baritone) and Caroline Thomas (soprano). The programme also featured the dramatic ‘Te Deum’ of Joseph Haydn and the reflective, contrasting ‘Five Mystical Songs‘ by Ralph Vaughan Williams. These compositions showcased the baritone soloist supported by the choral singers, who then came into their own in the rousing finale ‘Let all the World in Every Corner Sing‘.
