We have a collection of 36 arrangements for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem in D minor, K.626
Did you know Mozart’s Requiem was completed by his student Franz Xaver Süssmayr after the composer’s death? Learn!
Who's behind the notes? Discover Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Prodigy Who Defined Classical Music
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem in D minor, K.626, is one of his most famous and enigmatic compositions. Here are some interesting facts about this remarkable piece:
Mysterious Commission: Mozart received a mysterious commission for the Requiem in 1791 from a masked stranger who represented himself as an anonymous benefactor. The identity of the commissioner remains unknown to this day.
Unfinished Masterpiece: Mozart passed away before completing the Requiem. Only the Introit and Kyrie were fully finished by Mozart himself. The rest of the composition was largely completed by his student Franz Xaver Süssmayr based on Mozart's sketches and instructions.
Mozart's Last Composition: The Requiem is often referred to as Mozart's swan song or his last composition. Mozart fell ill while working on it, and he died on December 5, 1791, leaving the work incomplete.
Legend of Mozart's Predicted Death: There is a popular legend that Mozart believed he was writing the Requiem for his own funeral, predicting his impending death. While this adds a mysterious and dramatic element to the story, there is little historical evidence to support this claim.
Contribution of Süssmayr: After Mozart's death, his widow Constanze Mozart asked Franz Xaver Süssmayr, a close associate of Mozart, to complete the Requiem. Süssmayr finished the Lacrimosa, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei sections. Despite criticisms of Süssmayr's completion, the Requiem has become one of Mozart's most performed and revered works.
Movie and Cultural Impact: The Requiem has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and commercials, contributing to its enduring popularity and cultural impact. Its powerful and emotional nature makes it a compelling choice for dramatic moments in various media.
Influence on Later Composers: Mozart's Requiem has had a profound influence on later composers, and many have paid homage to it in their own works. The dramatic and emotional intensity of the Requiem continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Mozart's Requiem remains a masterpiece that transcends time, and its mysterious origins and unfinished nature add an extra layer of intrigue to its legacy.