“Pie Jesu” from Requiem Op. 48
For Soprano Saxophone, Organ, and Symphonic Winds (3:30)
Composed by Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)
Arranged by William V. Johnson (2021)
Gabriel Fauré
From Dennis Keene, Conductor, Voices of Ascension:
The “Requiem” by Gabriel Fauré is a perfect example of French art at its best. This amazing work depicts the timelessness of human existence, the procession of generations, human long- ings, profound sorrow, fear of the unknown, as well as light, hope, the ultimate joys of heav- en, and, above all, peace. All of these separate emotions are distinctly expressed, but they also form a perfect harmonious unity. The “Pie Jesu,” for soprano solo, is the personal utterance of hope for the eternal peace of a loved one. Even though we feel the sense of loss, the confidence of eternal happiness is always present here. This famous movement is an amazing example of profound feelings depicted with the utmost simplicity.
From Wikipedia:
Gabriel Urbain Fauré was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-cen- tury composers.
Fauré said of his Requiem, “Everything I managed to entertain by way of religious illusion I put into my Requiem, which moreover is dominated from beginning to end by a very human feeling of faith in eternal rest.”
Dedication
A native of Los Angeles, CA, Lauren Wasynczuk leads an active career as a conductor, sax- ophonist and music educator dedicated to engaging audiences and performers of all ages. A staunch advocate for arts education and community engagement, Lauren has shared her artistic leadership through masterclasses, workshops and conducting engagements. Her teaching and conducting experience spans from working with youth to professionals in a variety of settings including wind band, symphony orchestra, opera and vocal ensembles. Her recent conducting includes the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra (Los Angeles, CA), Bohuslav Mar- tinů Philharmonic Orchestra (Zlín, Czech Republic), London Classical Soloists (London, Unit- ed Kingdom), Miami Symphony Orchestra (Miami, FL), California State University, Northridge TEMPO New Music Ensemble (Northridge, CA), Irvine Classical Players (Irvine, CA), Marina del Rey Summer Symphony (Marina del Rey, CA), Saratoga Orchestra (Langley, WA), and the Santa Monica Symphony (Santa Monica, CA).
Professor Wasynczuk is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and The Hartt School of Music, a comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the Universi- ty of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut. Currently she serves as Director of the University of California, Riverside Concert Band.
A wind band recording of this piece is yet to be made. The following is a computer generated sound-file of the work:
