We have a collection of 33 arrangements for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem in D minor, K.626: Lacrimosa
Who completed Mozart's Requiem after his 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 iconic work:
Mysterious Commission: Mozart received a commission to compose the Requiem from an anonymous patron in 1791. The identity of the patron remains a mystery to this day, adding an element of intrigue to the composition.
Mozart's Final Work: The Requiem became Mozart's final composition. He began working on it in the summer of 1791 but passed away on December 5, 1791, leaving the work unfinished.
Unfinished Composition: Mozart left behind only the first few bars of the Requiem's Lacrimosa movement before his death. He had completed the Introitus, Kyrie, and Dies Irae sections, but other parts were only partially written or sketched.
The Completion by Franz Xaver Süssmayr: Mozart's student and friend, Franz Xaver Süssmayr, completed the Requiem after Mozart's death. Süssmayr had a thorough understanding of Mozart's style and used Mozart's notes and instructions to finish the composition. However, there is some debate among scholars regarding the extent of Süssmayr's contribution and the authenticity of his additions.
Mysterious Legends: Many legends and myths surround the composition of the Requiem, including tales of Mozart believing he was writing his own requiem or that he was cursed while working on it.
Musical Structure: The Requiem is structured into several sections, including the Introitus, Kyrie, Dies Irae, Offertory, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei. Each section serves a specific liturgical function in the Catholic Mass for the Dead.
Emotional Intensity: The Requiem is known for its emotional depth and intensity. It conveys a wide range of emotions, from the solemnity and fear of death in the Dies Irae to moments of peaceful reflection in the Benedictus.
Iconic Choral Movements: Some of the most memorable and powerful moments in the Requiem come from its choral movements, such as the Dies Irae, Rex Tremendae, and Lacrimosa.
Influence on Later Composers: Mozart's Requiem had a significant impact on subsequent composers, and its style and structure influenced many Requiem compositions that followed, including those by Berlioz, Verdi, and Faure.
Popular Culture: The Requiem has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and other forms of media. Its dramatic and haunting music is often used to evoke a sense of mystery, drama, or sorrow.
Mozart's Requiem in D minor, K.626, remains a testament to his genius and continues to captivate audiences with its beauty and intrigue, despite the mystery surrounding its composition and completion.