Requiem (Mozart)
Requiem in D minor, K.
Requiem in D minor, K. 626, is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s unfinished Requiem Mass, composed in 1791 and completed after his death by others, most notably Franz Xaver Süßmayr. It is one of Mozart’s best-known works and a major piece in the choral repertoire. Mozart composed the work in Vienna in late 1791, but it was unfinished when he died on 5 December 1791.
Background
Mozart was commissioned in 1791 to write a Requiem Mass by an anonymous intermediary acting for Count Franz von Walsegg. The commission was intended for a memorial service for Walsegg’s wife, Anna.
Composition and completion
Mozart died before finishing the work, leaving it incomplete at the time of his death. Franz Xaver Süßmayr completed the score after Mozart’s death, and his version became the standard performing edition.
Musical structure
The piece is a Requiem Mass in D minor for chorus, soloists, and orchestra. It includes sections such as the Introitus, Kyrie, Sequence, Offertory, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, and Communio.
Reception and legacy
Mozart’s Requiem has become one of the best-known works in the classical repertoire. Its unfinished status and later completion have made it a subject of lasting scholarly and public interest. Mozart’s Requiem is a standard work in Canadian concert, choral, and symphonic programming, and it is regularly performed by Canadian orchestras, choirs, and music institutions.
Key facts
- Mozart composed the work in Vienna in late 1791, but it was unfinished when he died on 5 December 1791.
- The Requiem was commissioned by Count Franz von Walsegg for a memorial service for his wife.
- Mozart is generally considered to have completed only part of the score, with later completion by Franz Xaver Süßmayr.
- The version most often performed today is the Süßmayr completion.
- The work is one of Mozart’s most famous and frequently performed choral compositions.
Mozart’s Requiem is a standard work in Canadian concert, choral, and symphonic programming, and it is regularly performed by Canadian orchestras, choirs, and music institutions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mozart’s Requiem?
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Who completed Mozart’s Requiem?
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References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiem_(Mozart)Supports: Basic identification, composition date, unfinished status, commission context, and Mozart’s death date.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Requiem-in-D-MinorSupports: Work title, catalogue number, unfinished status, and common performance tradition.
- Los Angeles Philharmonic — https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/3067/requiemSupports: Composer, approximate length, orchestration, and general work description.
- Nashville Symphony — https://www.nashvillesymphony.org/classical-program-notes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart-requiem-k-626/Supports: Commission background, completion by Süßmayr, and standard performance status.
- Carus-Verlag — https://blog.carus-verlag.com/en/choral-works-in-focus/mozarts-requiem-one-of-the-most-fascinating-fragments-in-music-history/Supports: Sectional structure, Mozart’s surviving contributions, and Süßmayr’s completion.