The Seafarers’ Requiem, by Mary Knickle, is a modern composition that pays tribute to those who have experienced loss at sea. It features choral arrangements of latin mass excerpts; and of poems, some by familiar poets like Tennyson and Kipling. Throughout the concert are recitations of true stories. These stories, performed in this case by local greats Anita Best and Jim Payne, set the music in a real world context of loss and perseverance.

The performance was accompanied by members of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (NSO), marking the first time The Seafarers’ Requiem has been performed with this orchestration. These instrumentals were a highlight of the concert, and their dramatic swells and poignant moments complimented the themes and vocal performances well. The show also featured a range of vocal soloists. I was particularly struck by In Paradisum, sung by soprano soloist Rebekah Lee, and tenor Kingsley Alozie’s stirring performance of Sea Fever.

The Seafarers’ Requiem was advertised as having Celtic influence, which is no surprise for a work that so speaks to this province’s cultural experience. Yet this Celtic-ness turned out to be fairly understated. It does feature an arrangement of Mingulay Boat Song, which uses a traditional folk melody, but otherwise any folk influence was minimal. Personally I found this refreshing. Perhaps this is an unexpected opinion from someone as deeply invested in trad music as I am, but I find that the overwhelming presence of traditional folk music in depictions of life in the province can sometimes feel forced.

The inclusion of story excerpts enriched the experience. They weren’t long, but vividly established the social and historical backdrop of this requiem. These stories came from first hand accounts of people who have endured harrowing experiences  on, or caused by, the sea. Some of these stories were optimistic tales of survival, others of sheer tragedy, but they all caused me to stop and contemplate the lives of the people in the narratives. Anita Best and Jim Payne, as one might expect, brought these stories to life. 

The show concluded with a full chorus performance of Mingulay Boat Song followed by Requiem Aeternam, and as the final triumphant notes faded, the crowd was on their feet. It was the kind of concert that stays with you through the day, even after the final notes have faded. The Seafarers’ Requiem is a  moving  tribute to the sailors and coastal people who have shaped our coastal life.

Originally from New York State, Than Brown moved to St. John’s to study folklore, and simply never left. Aside from writing for Riddle Fence, you may know them from playing octave mandolin in a number of local bands. She is also continuing their scholarly work on an independent basis.