MCS pupil premieres Requiem at the Sheldonian Theatre

Last night (Wednesday, 26th March) the Sheldonian Theatre played host to the first performance of a Requiem composed by 17-year-old Magdalen College School, Oxford (MCS) pupil Arush, a talented young musician and former chorister. This new work, lasting 40 minutes and in five movements, was performed by a massed choir of 200 singers, soloists, and accompanied by a full symphony orchestra.

The Requiem is the culmination of over a year’s work, with Arush, Upper Sixth, beginning the composition of the first movement as part of his A Level music course. Inspired by his admiration for Mozart, Fauré, and Duruflé, Arush composed a piece that so impressed his teachers and peers he was encouraged to write the remaining movements.

After many weeks of rehearsal, the piece was performed by the three school choirs and orchestra during the annual Sheldonian Concert, a highlight in the school’s musical calendar. The concert programme also included the school’s Symphony Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien and Khachaturian’s Masquerade Suite.

Jon Cullen, Director of Music, said: “It was an enormous pleasure to conduct our orchestra and choirs through Arush’s Requiem – a truly remarkable accomplishment by a talented young composer. His creativity and commitment have resulted in a powerful piece of music and an unforgettable evening of music for everyone involved.”