"Requiem" is French composer Gabriel Fauré's major work for funeral Mass, but it is hardly funereal, or stodgy.

It is "uplifting, sophisticated," said liturgical music directors Donna Barnes (Holy Trinity Church in San Pedro) and Rene Ayala (St. Lawrence Martyr, Redondo Beach). "It's a remembrance of all saints and souls."

Listen to what the composer said when asked about the vivacity of the piece: "It has been said that my Requiem does not express the fear of death and someone has called it a lullaby of death. But it is thus that I see death: as a happy deliverance, an aspiration towards happiness above, rather than as a painful experience."

On Nov. 6-7, as they have for the last three years, Barnes and Ayala will lead a combined choir of 70 singers from both churches, featuring baritone Ruben Sanchez, soprano Crystal Sepulveda, organist Denise Peykanu and a small chamber orchestra under the direction of Barnes. Holy Trinity's pastor, Msgr. Joseph Brennan, is also part of the choir.

Fauré, also an organist, pianist and teacher, composed the Requiem in D minor in the late 1800s. He said he created the piece in Latin "for fun," but some believe he was moved by his father's death in 1885, or his mother's death on New Year's Eve 1887, although he had already begun the work before that time.

Music historians say Fauré, with his harmonic and melodic language, influenced many 20th century composers. Included in the "Requiem" is "Libera Me," which Fauré composed independently in 1877. In 1899 or 1900, Fauré (or one of his students) re-worked the score for full orchestra. In 1924, the piece was performed for the composer's own funeral.

In the United States it was performed for the first time in 1931. Msgr. Brennan --- who makes parishioner involvement in parish music ministry a priority as pastor --- praises the skill and adventurousness of the two music directors in accepting the challenge of performing the Fauré "Requiem."

"This is an ambitious project and they have pulled it off. When it comes together it's extraordinary," said Msgr. Brennan, who traces his own musical interest and aptitude to his parents (his Irish father was a member of a gospel quartet).

Kathy Pelc, a choir member and Holy Trinity's music ministry secretary, said the experience is unique. "We minister by bringing this wonderful, beautiful music to the community," she expressed.

"It elevates the listener to another level," said Barnes, a flutist with a master's degree in religious studies. "It's like Mass in paradise with angels singing it."

Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, and $5 for children 14 and under. For information about the concert at Holy Trinity, call (310) 548-6535 or visit www.holytrinitysp.org. For the performance at St. Lawrence Martyr, call (310) 540-0329 or visit www.stlm.org.