A German Requiem - Johannes Brahms

Unlike the traditional Latin Requiem Mass, Brahms chose his own texts from the Lutheran Bible, creating a work concerned not with judgement or fear, but with comfort, consolation and hope for those who mourn. From the hushed opening “Blessed are they that mourn” to the grandeur of its great central movements and the serenity of its conclusion, the Requiem is a work of extraordinary humanity and beauty. We are delighted to welcome acclaimed British soprano Sophie Bevan as our soprano soloist, joining the Choir of St Columba’s, Pont Street. The orchestral score will be heard in Brahms’ own version for piano duet, performed by Maria Struckova and Milana Dunauskaite, bringing an intimacy and immediacy particularly suited to the surroundings of St Columba’s, Directed by Benedict Lewis-Smith. This concert brings our tenth-anniversary Sounds of St Columba’s series to a close, celebrating a decade of music-making at St Columba’s and doing so with a work whose scale, warmth and emotional power make it a fitting finale. Sunday 15 November 2026 St Columba’s, Pont Street, Knightsbridge Admission is free. We suggest a donation of £20 per person to help meet the considerable costs associated with presenting a work of this scale and to support the continuing musical life of St Columba’s. We very much hope you will join us for this special conclusion to ten years of Sounds of St Columba’s.