On 9/11

Maurice Durufle's Requiem Mass is an expansion on the original Gregorian Chant melody; Durufle expanded it into a four-part choir with orchestral accompaniment--yet he preserved the flow and rhythm of the Chant.

The text is familiar to many:  "May the angels lead you into Paradise; may the martyrs greet you and accompany you into the holy city of Jerusalem; and with Lazarus, once poor, may you have eternal rest."

When the music illustrates or illuminates the text, you have great music.  See how Durufle makes the text alive in the music--e.g., how it comes to repose on the final two words of the text "......may you have eternal rest."  Or note how at the beginning, he uses ascending pitches to denote 'heaven'--and a chime to resemble the tolling-bell of a church funeral.

For the heroes of 9/11 and for all those who died.