North London Area Guide

A choral workshop hosted by Finchley Chamber Choir, led by Lloyd Buck. When Mozart died at the tragically young age of 35 in 1791, he was working on a Requiem Mass, which was left incomplete. The version that so many choral singers have come to know and love was completed by another Austrian composer, Franz Sssmayr. He did so based on "scraps of paper" (now lost) and his own understanding of Mozart's musical signature, but claimed the Sanctus and Benedictus and the Agnus Dei as his own. Several musicologists in the 20th and 21st centuries have taken a critical look at this familiar completion and proposed their own reconstructions. In this open workshop hosted by Finchley Chamber Choir, you'll have the chance to explore the completion by eminent American musicologist Robert D Levin, formerly a professor of music at Harvard, which gives a new perspective on how Mozart may have intended the piece to sound. Choral conductor, pianist and composer Lloyd Buck is a great proponent of Levin's work on the Requiem and he has given several workshops and online presentations on the subject. There will be lots of opportunities to sing as Lloyd presents us with information about the history of the piece and provides fascinating insights into the decisions taken by Levin in completing his reconstruction. The day will finish with a mini performance of the Requiem Mass(from 4.00 pm): feel free to invite family and friends to attend, at no charge. Your ticket includes complementary tea, coffee and biscuits during the breaks; please bring your own lunch (or there are plenty of places you can buy food nearby). Parking at the church is limited, so please use public transport or be prepared to pay for parking (at a nearby car park or in designated on-street parking locations). Ticket sales are going well, but we'd love to have a few more altos and tenors to balance the choir. Sopranos and basses are still welcome, but please encourage your alto and tenor friends to join you if possible. If you want to take part in the workshop, but you're under 18, we'd ask that you come with a parent or carer. If you are unable to buy tickets online, please call 0333 666 3366 for telephone booking via TicketSource.