ONE AUDIO PIECE With the death of Senator Edward Kennedy earlier this week it seemed appropriate to post one last excerpt from the presentation of Mozart's Requiem given at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston on January 19, 1964. This was performed in the full liturgical setting of the Requiem Mass celebrated by Richard Cardinal Cushing (1895-1970) and the Seminarians from St. John's. Neil McCabe wrote a wonderful 45th anniversary appreciation of this concert in the Boston Pilot (do a search). You can also look elsewhere in this blog for more details about this performance. [audio:requiem-finale] Eric Leinsdorf conducted the Boston Symphony, with the Chorus Pro Musica, the chorus of the New England Conservatory and the combined Harvard-Radcliffe Glee Clubs. The soprano soloist in these final moments is Sara Mae Endich. We'll also hear from Cardinal Cushing in his own, unforgettable, style. I'm sorry for the poor sound quality. Its all explained if you look through this blog. But I don't think any scratches can dim this event. --Christopher Purdy
Christopher Purdy is Classical 101's early morning host, 7-10 a.m. weekdays. He is host and producer of Front Row Center – Classical 101’s weekly celebration of Opera and more – as well as Music in Mid-Ohio, Concerts at Ohio State, and the Columbus Symphony broadcast series. He is the regular pre-concert speaker for Columbus Symphony performances in the Ohio Theater.