Maurice Durufle's beautiful setting of the Requiem for the Dead makes haunting use of medieval plainsong themes clothed in atmospheric, impressionistic harmonies learned from his teacher Paul Dukas (of Sorcerer's Apprentice fame). Gently syncopated rhythms and well-paced use of brass and organ alongside strings have helped keep this, one of Durufle's few major compositions, a significant part of the serious> choral repertoire. Syncopation of a decidedly Latin American kind adds memorable colour to the joyful version of the Song of Mary - the Magnificat - by England's ever-successful and popular choral composer, John Rutter. One of the few fully scored settings of this Biblical text, the work also features lyrical soprano solos and an arrangement of the medieval English text Of a Rose. Rutter even echoes Durufle in his occasional use of plainsong quotations, though his exciting harmonies are definitely late 20th century.

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