Gabriel Fauré, Requiem in D minor, Op. 48

Gentle Tones of Comfort

St.-Nikolai-Kirche in Berlin-Spandau – St.-Nikolai-Kirche in Berlin-Spandau

The concert will take place at the medieval hall church of St. Nikolai in Berlin-Spandau on Reformationsplatz (Spandau’s Old Town).

The Requiem in D minor, Op. 48, by the French composer Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924) has enjoyed great popularity since its premiere in 1888. Unlike the Italian opera composer Verdi, who set the text of the Mass for the Dead to music in an extroverted, operatic version 13 years earlier, Gabriel Fauré relies more on the gentle tones of consolation in his Requiem.

It is therefore not surprising that he does not place the “Dies Irae” —with its terrifying depiction of the Last Judgment—at the center of his composition, but instead sets only the words of the “Pie Jesu Domine” to music in a comforting soprano solo.

The Requiem then concludes with the “In paradisum,” a hymn traditionally sung during the procession of the deceased from the church to the cemetery. With this piece, Fauré paints a peaceful picture of death, allowing us to glimpse the peace of the Kingdom of Heaven.

On Saturday, November 14, at 6:00 p.m., the St. Nikolai Choir, together with Misaki Kobayashi (soprano) and Christian Wagner (bass), accompanied by Daniel Clark (organ), will present a version for organ, choir, and soloists. The concert will be conducted by KMD Bernhard Kruse.

Admission is free. However, we rely on generous donations to help fund the concert.Translated with DeepL

Price info: Donations are welcome.

Next date:

• Date Saturday, 14/November/2026 18:00
• Venue Spandovia Sacra
• Address Reformationsplatz 12, 13597 Berlin-Spandau