There are few events in human history that galvanize the whole world through their sheer awfulness. Those of September 11, 2001 were just such events. We each have our story of that day and mine is not very remarkable, except for its geographical proximity to events.

Having flown into Boston, Massachusetts on September 10 on American Airlines I felt too close for comfort to all that happened. “Comfort” was not a word in anyone’s vocabulary for months following that date.

I was to have commenced my duties as Musical Director of the Handel and Haydn Society the following day in rehearsal for a performance of Haydn’s Oratorio The Creation just as we were witnessing the most wicked acts of wanton destruction in New York and Washington, DC.

Haydn’s masterpiece actually begins with a Representation of Chaos which is chilling in its wordless musical effect. However, we felt that music’s power to soothe was more important at that time so, as now, turned to Mozart.

The Ave Verum Corpus, written some six months before his own death, beautifully captures the utter pathos of human mortality. But it is through the music of the Requiem that we fully explore the depth and breadth of human emotion. Just as 9/11 affected us all, this music speaks to each and every one with a message that is both personal and universal. Take from it what you will, but know that this music will outlive us mere human beings and remember the prophetic words of Antonio Salieri in Sir Peter Schaffer’s play Amadeus: “It will help the ages to mourn.”

Experience the Requiem live on September 8 & 10 in Raleigh and on September 9 in Chapel Hill.