Behind the notes

Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)

‘I write very little, but I correct a great deal’. Duruflé was the perfectionist’s perfectionist and his own worst critic, consigning much of his work to the bin. It is therefore no surprise that only about a dozen pieces of work were published. Some of his friends liked to tease him that his greatest unpublished composition was…his wastepaper basket!
‘A composer of formidable musical standards’. Duruflé was known to be short-tempered and exacting; a man whose musical approval was hard won. In rehearsals, he would sit in icy silence, often intimidating those around him with his glare and one eyebrow raised, communicating his disapproval with a curt response, ‘Non!’. Equally, praise was brief, just a nod of his head or a simple ‘Bien’ which showed his genuine appreciation and deep satisfaction. He was not cruel, just a purist seeking musical integrity; his praise was highly valued and sought after.

‘The Requiem is dominated by the idea of rest and peace’. Duruflé’s Requiem is sacred music which will soothe your soul, granting you time to pause, to enjoy moments of serenity and stillness, and which will resonate in response to the relentless news of global conflicts and the horrors of war.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Life and Career

Why did Duruflé compose so little? Duruflé was an extreme perfectionist who was highly critical of his own work and often continued to revise pieces even after publication. His rigorous standards meant he published only 14 works in his long lifetime, and he even suppressed pieces he was unhappy with.
What was his primary occupation? Composition was not his main source of income; Duruflé was a respected professor of harmony at the Paris Conservatoire and the principal organist at the church of St-Étienne-du-Mont in Paris for the rest of his life.
What were his musical influences? He was deeply influenced by the Gregorian chant he heard as a boy chorister at Rouen Cathedral, and this ancient plainsong tradition forms the foundation of much of his harmonic and melodic language. He also studied with prominent French organ masters like Charles Tournemire and Louis Vierne.
Was he married? Yes, he married the acclaimed organist Marie-Madeleine Chevalier in 1953, and they became a famous “power couple” of the organ world, performing concerts together internationally.

The Requiem, Op. 9

When was the Requiem written and why is it important? Duruflé completed his Requiem in 1947, and it is widely considered his masterpiece and most famous work. It is noted for its masterful blend of traditional Gregorian chant melodies with lush, modern Impressionistic harmonies.
What are the different versions of the Requiem? Duruflé created three published versions: one for solo organ, one for organ with a reduced (chamber) orchestra, and one for organ with a full orchestra. The organ is an essential component in all of them.
Does it have a Dies Irae (Day of Wrath)? Like Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Duruflé’s version omits most of the dramatic Dies Irae text, focusing instead on themes of eternal rest and consolation, creating a sense of “absolute serenity”.

Musical Style

How would you describe his musical style? His music is largely tonal, integrating modality, bitonality, and complex harmonies with the irregular rhythms of Gregorian chant, positioning him as a conservative figure in the radical 20th century musical landscape.
Which is his most difficult work? While many of his works are challenging, the Toccata from his Suite, Op. 5 is considered a major “warhorse” of organ literature requiring a virtuoso technique. Ironically, Duruflé himself disliked the Toccata and never recorded it.

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

‘I compose because I cannot paint.’ Vaughan Williams had a way with words; he was a wit, with his self-deprecating humour and his gently ironic observations. Another quip: ‘I never made a living from music, only spent it.’ When questioned about working late at night, he quickly responded with the reply, ‘because the music won’t wait for breakfast’.

‘Music is for the healing of the spirit. Even in the trenches, it reminds one of what life can be beyond suffering.’ As a soldier during the First World War he was stationed in France, and worked close to the front lines, caring for wounded soldiers. He saw at first-hand the suffering of young men, their extraordinary bravery and witnessed the terrible physical and emotional toll on his comrades. He firmly believed music improved morale among the troops, arranging music for military bands. He believed in the power of music to heal.

‘They think I’m mad. I agree’. As an avid collector of folk songs, Vaughan Williams travelled extensively across England, through mud, freezing winds and rain, desperate to save traditional songs that were fast disappearing from popular repertoire. He would frequently talk to strangers, asking them to sing folk songs for him. If they stumbled to remember the words, he would joke, ‘You’ve only misplaced it in your memory; let’s find it together’. His charm always assuaged his eccentric manner.

Frequently Asked Questions

About His Music and Style

What is his most famous piece? His most popular work is widely considered to be the The Lark Ascending, a sublime piece for solo violin and orchestra. Other very famous pieces include the Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and his Symphony No. 5.
How did English folk music influence his compositions? Vaughan Williams was passionately interested in traditional English folk songs, collecting over 800 tunes. This interest led him to incorporate the modal harmonies found in folk music and Tudor-era church music into his own distinct style, moving British music away from German-dominated traditions.
How many symphonies did he write? He composed nine symphonies in total, a body of work noted for its individuality and breadth of mood, from the turbulent to the tranquil.
Did he only compose “pastoral” music? No. While he is known for evocative, “pastoral” pieces, his work is diverse and includes operas, ballets, choral works, and symphonies that explore a wide range of emotions and themes, including the horrors of war (as an inspiration for his Pastoral Symphony).

About His Life and Background

Was he religious? He was an agnostic or “cheerful agnostic” throughout much of his life despite his father being a vicar. However, religious and spiritual subjects inspired many of his works, and he edited The English Hymnal.
What was his family background? He was born into a wealthy, socially progressive family. He was the great-nephew of the famous biologist Charles Darwin and the great-great-grandson of the potter Josiah Wedgwood.
Did he serve in the World Wars? Yes, he volunteered and served as a stretcher-bearer in the First World War, even though his age meant he could have been exempted. The constant gunfire he experienced led to progressive hearing loss that eventually resulted in almost complete deafness in his old age.
Who were his teachers and contemporaries? He studied with several notable figures, including Charles Villiers Stanford and Hubert Parry at the Royal College of Music, Max Bruch in Berlin, and Maurice Ravel in Paris. He also had a lifelong friendship with fellow composer Gustav Holst.

General Information

Why is he important to English music? Vaughan Williams was a significant figure in the revival of English music, helping to establish a unique national style after a long period of German dominance. He worked to make music accessible to everyone and his legacy helped pave the way for subsequent British composers.
Where is he buried? His ashes are interred in Westminster Abbey.

Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

‘A musical prodigy’. At just seven years old Stanford gave his first piano recital playing impressive compositions by composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Bach. He was only eight when he wrote his first composition, March in D flat major, and by the age of fifteen he had written two operas and a baritone solo. He had an astonishing sight-reading ability and demonstrated exceptional technical mastery of the keyboard.

‘We cannot compose on empty stomachs or parched throats. Tea now or chaos reigns.’ When busy teaching Stanford would demand tea breaks to facilitate inspiration. As a composer, known for his high standards and teaching focus, this quotation illustrates not only his love of tea but also his quirky personality too.

‘You need a microscope, a Rosetta stone and a prayer just to decipher his annotations’. Like so many other gifted and talented composers, his compositions were infamously difficult to read with significant alterations, numerous annotations and multiple layers of notation. The extra notes and revised bars, scribbled in the margins or at the bottom of the pages, did not aid understanding either.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Charles Villiers Stanford?

Origin and Background: Stanford was a Dublin-born Anglo-Irish composer, conductor, and teacher who became a dominant figure in late Victorian and Edwardian music.
Key Roles: He was a founding professor of composition at the Royal College of Music (RCM) and served as the Professor of Music at the University of Cambridge.

What are his most famous works?

Church Music: Stanford is most widely remembered for his contribution to the Anglican choral tradition, including his Morning, Communion, and Evening Services (especially in B-flat, A, and C) and the partsong “The Blue Bird”.
Orchestral Works: He composed seven symphonies, the most popular being the Third Symphony (“Irish”), and six Irish Rhapsodies.
Operas: Though less performed today, he wrote nine completed operas, including Shamus O’Brien, The Critic, and The Travelling Companion.

Who were his most famous pupils?

Stanford taught nearly every major British composer of the next generation at the RCM. His pupils included:

Ralph Vaughan Williams
Gustav Holst
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Herbert Howells
Rebecca Clarke and Frank Bridge

What was his musical style and influence?

Style: His music is described as passionately Romantic, heavily influenced by German masters like Brahms and Schumann, yet often infused with Irish folk melodies.
Reputation as Teacher: He was known for being a “dour” and “intimidating” teacher who focused intensely on craftsmanship, technical mastery, and classical principles, often dismissive of modernism.
Legacy: He is often credited with helping lead a renaissance in British music alongside contemporaries like Hubert Parry.

Where is he buried?

Stanford’s ashes are interred in Westminster Abbey, located near the remains of Henry Purcell. His grave bears the simple inscription: “A Great Musician”.