Photo : D.R. Unknown author
Mozart's Requiem & Ravel's Boléro
Prepare for a profound musical journey that oscillates between the tragic, ethereal beauty of Mozart’s unfinished masterpiece and the relentless, hypnotic pulse of Ravel’s famous orchestral crescendo. This concert brings together timeless classics performed with youthful energy and precision, offering a perfect escape into pure sound.
Eglise Saint Germain des Prés (Paris 6th)
About
Experience a majestic evening at the Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés on Friday, October 23, 2026, featuring two pillars of classical music. This concert presents Ravel’s famous Boléro alongside Mozart’s haunting Requiem, a masterpiece left unfinished at the composer's death. The performance lasts from 20:00 to 22:00 and is open to audiences aged 18 and over. Set in the heart of the 6th arrondissement, this orchestral and choral event showcases the Hélios orchestra, an ensemble known for its dynamic approach to diverse repertoires. Tickets for this performance are priced between 20 and 60 euros, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate high-caliber musicianship in a historic setting.
Mozart's Requiem & Ravel's Boléro
Presentation of the work
RAVEL'S BOLERO
Boléro is the most performed classical music work in the world, with a performance every 15 minutes. At the time of its creation, the composer had given the copyright to his gardener without anticipating its success with the general public.
This work is the archetype of the ostinato. The melody is taken up in turn by the different instruments of the orchestra over a rhythmic percussion formula.
MOZART'S REQUIEM
The particular circumstances of the commission of this work, and the somewhat tragic conditions of its writing, on the author's deathbed, fuel its legend. In July 1791, Count Walsegg-Stuppach, under the seal of secrecy, commissioned a Requiem from Mozart for his wife, who died in February. Work was delayed until October, due to the overwork the composer was experiencing, occupied by La Clemenza di Tito and The Magic Flute.
Upon Mozart's death, the Requiem remained an unfinished work. In the final phase of his illness, Mozart had written the entirety of the "Requiem aeternam": from the Kyrie to the Confutatis, only the vocal parts and the figured bass were written. For the Lacrimosa, only the first eight bars of the voice and the first two bars of the violin and viola parts. Sketches for additional pieces were lost. While he was bedridden, friends came to sing the parts of the Requiem at his bedside.
Hélios
Dynamic and eclectic, the Hélios orchestra has established itself since its creation in 2014.
Its artistic director, Paul Savalle, promotes the professional integration of young musicians through orchestral practice. Thus, young graduates mingle with experienced orchestral musicians, conductors, and soloists, in optimal working conditions.
From Baroque music to contemporary music, the programs are varied. As for the repertoire, it is both symphonic and choral, with the orchestra joining forces with departmental and regional choirs.
Thanks to the collaboration of different conductors, the musicians approach a very rich repertoire by broadening their palette of interpretation. They all come from major French conservatories, some belonging to a national orchestra.
From the string quartet to the symphony orchestra, including the brass ensemble, the orchestra is always expanding its audience by modulating its composition. The "strings" ensemble performs in picturesque locations that could not accommodate a symphony orchestra, which allows the public to discover a very rich architectural heritage.
In short, thanks to its variable geometry, the Hélios orchestra approaches the widest repertoire with passionate curiosity.
Our take on this event
On Friday, October 23, 2026, the Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés hosts a performance dedicated to two essential classical works. The Hélios orchestra, led by artistic director Paul Savalle, will perform Ravel’s Boléro—the world’s most frequently played classical piece—and Mozart’s Requiem, a work famously commissioned under mysterious circumstances while the composer was on his deathbed. The concert runs from 20:00 to 22:00.
Established in 2014, the Hélios orchestra creates a unique bridge between seasoned professionals and young graduates from major French conservatories. By working with various conductors and choirs, the ensemble explores a vast array of symphonic and choral music, utilizing its flexible composition to bring complex scores to life in distinctive architectural landmarks.
This event is intended for adults aged 18 and up. Tickets range from 20 to 60 euros. Given the prestige of the venue and the popularity of the program, early booking is recommended to secure your seat for this evening of musical history in Paris.
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