We have a collection of 33 arrangements for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Lacrymosa from Requiem in D minor, K.626
Did you know Mozart’s Requiem was left unfinished at his death—who completed it? 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 intriguing compositions. Here are some interesting facts about this masterpiece:
Mysterious Commission and Unfinished Composition: Mozart received a commission from an anonymous nobleman to write a Requiem Mass. Mozart began working on it in 1791 but tragically died on December 5, 1791, leaving the work incomplete. His student Franz Xaver Süssmayr was tasked with completing the composition based on Mozart's sketches.
Mozart's Health: Mozart's health was deteriorating during the time he worked on the Requiem. There are accounts of him being bedridden and composing while in a state of illness. This lends a certain somberness and introspection to the music.
Myth and Legend: The story of a mysterious stranger commissioning the Requiem on behalf of an unknown person has led to various myths and legends. While it's widely accepted that the commission came from Count Franz von Walsegg, the air of mystery surrounding it has added to the Requiem's mystique.
Mozart's Death: The circumstances surrounding Mozart's death have fueled speculation and intrigue. It's often said that he believed he was composing the Requiem for his own funeral, contributing to the aura of impending mortality in the music.
Incomplete Movements: Mozart had completed and orchestrated the Introitus, Kyrie, and parts of the Dies Irae, Tuba Mirum, and Rex Tremendae movements before his death. Süssmayr completed the rest of the work, including the Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, and Communio movements.
Süssmayr's Completion: Franz Xaver Süssmayr, Mozart's student and assistant, completed the Requiem based on Mozart's sketches and notes. While Süssmayr's completion is sometimes criticized for not fully capturing Mozart's style, it is largely responsible for the Requiem's popularity and the sense of unity it maintains.
Emotional Depth: The Requiem is known for its emotional depth, ranging from moments of profound sorrow to passages of powerful grandeur. Mozart's use of dark harmonies, chromaticism, and dramatic contrasts contributes to the work's intense and moving character.
Memorable Choral Sections: The choral sections of the Requiem are particularly memorable and impactful. The Dies Irae sequence, with its powerful choral and orchestral forces, is especially famous for its dramatic depiction of judgment day.
Performances and Popularity: The Requiem has become one of Mozart's most performed and recorded works. Its universal themes of life, death, and transcendence have resonated with audiences for centuries.
Mozart's Legacy: The Requiem stands as one of Mozart's most enduring and iconic compositions. Its haunting beauty and the circumstances surrounding its creation have contributed to its legendary status in the world of classical music.
Mozart's Requiem in D minor remains a masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences with its emotional depth, dramatic power, and timeless themes.