I thought last night’s performance of Duruflé’s Requiem was sublime (and, from the comments, it sounds like I might have another opportunity to hear a live performance later this year). The music, the performance and the setting (St Andrew’s enjoys a very harmonious fusion of a Norman arch with Victorian and later additions) all contributed but the key may have been a piece of paper, the programme, which Father Darren was distributing at the entrance.

What made it so important was containing the full lyrics for the requiem in both Latin and English. I know enough Latin to be able to follow along and could understand much of it directly, with the translation to help out on less familiar details of vocabulary and grammar. It meant I was able to grasp the piece not only as a beautiful set of sounds but also as a religious poem with depth and meaning.