A requiem written by Salisbury Cathedral’s Director of Music David Halls is to be sung during the 17.30 Eucharist on All Souls' Day, Wednesday 2 November, the day on which the church traditionally remembers the faithful departed.

The English Requiem was originally premiered in concert at Salisbury Cathedral in 2017, but David was always keen for the work to be sung in English as part of the Liturgy, or regular Cathedral worship. Deliberately intimate, it is a reflection on personal loss and the Cathedral’s close knit community, where life and death are marked by music.

David Halls, Salisbury Cathedral’s Director of Music said:
“Deciding to have the Requiem sung in English is not an unusual decision - both Howells and Walford Davies did the same – but my decision to use it was made purposefully. From the Anglian chant and Psalms that underpin my work, to the decision to use English and avoid the traditionally bombastic Dies Irae, my aim was to create a ‘modest’ work that lends itself to the wonderful acoustics of this Cathedral.”

English Requiem for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass Choir, and Organ is published by The Royal School of Church Music. It will b sung on 2 November by girls and men of Salisbury Cathedral Choir.

Short biography David Halls
David Halls was appointed Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral in September 2005. In addition to his daily duties in the Cathedral, he has toured Austria, Estonia, France, Holland, Italy, Latvia, Sweden and the USA with the Cathedral Choir and has appeared as conductor, accompanist and soloist in many concerts and recordings.

In demand as a recitalist in cathedrals and churches throughout the UK, he has recorded three solo CDs on the Willis Organ in Salisbury Cathedral. He is active as a composer with many choral and organ works published in the UK and USA.