Robb Requiem Premieres in St. Louis

5/4/2012

MAY 4, 2012

John Donald Robb's Requiem was "beautifully performed" by the Bach Society of Saint Louis on April 29, 2012 at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church. The premiere was presented as part of a program titled, Premieres, in honor of Sanford N. McDonnell, who recently passed away. He was married to Robb's daughter, Priscilla McDonnell, a board member of the Robb Musical Trust.

The Requiem, composed in 1985 when Robb was 93, was his last major composition. It was created “In Memory of Mother, Father, and Eight Brothers & Sisters”. It originally had been scored for a large orchestra and chorus, but was performed by the Bach Society as a choral and piano piece, recently edited and arranged by Robb Trust board member James Bratcher. Pianist Sandra Geary provided accompaniment.

The Bach Society chorus was conducted by A. Dennis Sparger. Also performed at the April 29 concert was Te Deum, a new work by Stephen Mager, composer-in residence with the society.

St. Louis Beacon article

Listen to the April 29 Requiem (in seven movements):

Requiem aeternum