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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem in D minor, K. 626, is one of his most famous and mysterious compositions. Here are some interesting facts about this iconic work:

1. Mozart's Final Composition: The Requiem is one of Mozart's last compositions, and he didn't live to complete it. He started working on it in Vienna in 1791 but died on December 5 of the same year, leaving the work unfinished.

2. Commissioned by an Anonymous Patron: The Requiem was commissioned by an anonymous patron who wanted to remain unidentified. This mysterious figure approached Mozart through an intermediary, which has led to various conspiracy theories and speculations about the identity of the patron.

3. Mozart's Illness: Mozart's health was deteriorating as he composed the Requiem, which added to the sense of foreboding and urgency in the work. He may have been suffering from rheumatic fever or some other illness during its composition.

4. Completion by Franz Xaver Süssmayr: After Mozart's death, the task of completing the Requiem fell to his student and friend Franz Xaver Süssmayr. Süssmayr finished the composition based on Mozart's sketches and instructions, and his role in completing the Requiem has been a topic of discussion among musicologists.

5. Unfinished Movements: Mozart had completed only a few movements of the Requiem before his death, including the Introit, Kyrie, and Dies Irae. Süssmayr was responsible for composing the Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei, in addition to finishing the remaining portions of the incomplete movements.

6. Mysterious Story Behind the Commission: The identity of the anonymous patron who commissioned the Requiem remains a subject of speculation and intrigue. Some theories suggest that it was Count Franz von Walsegg, who intended to pass it off as his own work to commemorate his late wife.

7. The Lacrimosa Mystery: The Lacrimosa movement of the Requiem, which means "weeping" or "tearful," is one of the most famous and emotionally charged sections. Mozart managed to compose only the first eight bars of this movement before his death. Süssmayr completed it, but the transition from Mozart's to Süssmayr's composition is quite noticeable to experienced listeners.

8. Impact on Pop Culture: The Requiem has appeared in numerous films, TV shows, and popular culture references. Its dramatic and powerful music is often used to create a sense of tension and foreboding in various media.

9. Reputation as a Masterpiece: Despite the controversy surrounding its completion, Mozart's Requiem is widely regarded as one of the greatest choral works ever composed. Its emotional depth, sublime melodies, and powerful orchestration have ensured its enduring popularity.

10. The Myth of the Requiem Curse: There is a superstition known as the "Curse of the Requiem" that suggests that anyone who attempts to complete the Requiem will die prematurely. While there have been instances of people associated with the Requiem experiencing untimely deaths, it is more likely a coincidence than a curse.

Mozart's Requiem remains a masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences with its beauty and mystique, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of classical music.