Lacrymosa

The Requiem Mass in D Minor (K. 626) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was left unfinished upon his death in 1791. He composed only the first eight bars of the “Lacrymosa” movement, which was completed later by a student engaged by Mozart’s wife. The work has long been surrounded by mythology: one being Peter Shaffer’s 1979 play Amadeus, in which a mysterious messenger orders Mozart to write a requiem mass, giving no explanation for the order; Mozart (in the play) then comes to believe that the piece is meant to be the requiem mass for his own funeral. “Lacrymosa” means “tearful.” Indeed, Mozart’s original string parts have been described as “falling tears.” In this arrangement, the choral parts are shared by the upper strings and the “tears” mostly fall from the celli. It is a truly beautiful and emotional work. (3:15)