Requiem in D Minor: Mozart’s Reconciliation with Death

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), one of the most influential composers of the Classical era, left behind an extraordinary musical legacy. His works are characterized by harmonious and seemingly simple melodies, but his greatest passion lay in opera compositions. In the final year of his life, he composed one of his most significant works—Requiem, KV 626. (Ludwig von Köchel, an Austrian musicologist, cataloged all of Mozart’s works chronologically and thematically, which is why each composition is labeled with "KV" and a corresponding number. The abbreviation stands for Köchel-Verzeichnis, meaning Köchel’s catalog.)

Mozart's musical output consists of over 600 works, spanning various genres, from vocal-instrumental to opera, choral, and symphonic compositions. Given that he passed away at the age of 36, his remarkable productivity can be attributed to his exceptional ease of composition.

A Masterpiece Left Unfinished

The Requiem—a Mass for the dead—was written for orchestra, choir, and soloists. Its structure consists of seven sections:

1. Introitus (Requiem aeternam)
2. Kyrie
3. Sequentia (Dies irae, Tuba mirum, Rex tremendae, Recordare, Confutatis, Lacrimosa)
4. Offertorium (Domine Jesu, Hostias)
5. Sanctus (including Benedictus)
6. Agnus Dei
7. Communio (Lux aeterna, Cum sanctis tuis)

It is widely believed that Mozart only fully completed the first two movements (Introitus and Kyrie) before his death. The composition was left unfinished, with Mozart reportedly working on Lacrimosa when he passed away. His close friend and fellow composer Franz Xaver Süssmayr completed the piece, following Mozart’s notes and sketches.

From a broader perspective, Requiem in D Minor, KV 626, stands as one of the most significant works in sacred music—a grand and solemn Mass that marks the end of Mozart’s life and artistic journey.

A Mysterious Commission and a Haunting Omen

The Requiem was commissioned by an anonymous figure—believed by some sources to be a messenger of Count Franz von Walsegg-Stuppach. The Count was known for commissioning pieces from renowned composers and later passing them off as his own.

The mysterious commissioner repeatedly urged Mozart to complete the work, leading the composer to believe that he was writing his own funeral mass. As his health deteriorated, Mozart became convinced that the Requiem was an omen of his impending death. The composition thus reflects his personal struggles, exhaustion, and acceptance of fate, expressed through music of raw emotional depth.

Mozart’s Genius in Sacred Music

Examining the Requiem closely reveals Mozart’s brilliant interplay between text and music. He approaches the liturgical text with deep reverence, allowing every note to carry an intense emotional weight.

In the Requiem, Mozart seamlessly blends melodic purity with intricate polyphony. The work is characterized by its somber orchestral colors, featuring trombones and basset horns, while the dominant key of D minor is filled with rich chromaticism and Baroque influences.

• The Kyrie is composed as a double fugue, showcasing complex counterpoint.
• The Lacrimosa, written for a four-part choir with orchestral accompaniment, rises slowly from the depths of D minor—first hesitantly, then building in chromatic intensity, mirroring the suffering soul ascending toward divine judgment.

Lacrimosa: The Requiem’s Emotional Peak

Among all movements, Lacrimosa stands out as the most emotionally powerful. It is in this passage that the drama reaches its climax, gradually escalating into an overwhelming fortissimo, culminating in a final, desperate plea for mercy.

For me, Lacrimosa is the most haunting section of the Requiem. Slowing it down, as you can hear in the attached recording, transforms it into a deeply mystical and emotionally charged experience.

Lacrimosa – Latin Text & Translation

Lacrimosa dies illa
Qua resurget ex favilla
Judicandus homo reus
Lacrimosa dies illa
Qua resurget ex favilla
Judicandus homo reus

Huic ergo parce Deus
Pie Jesu, Jesu Domine
Dona eis requiem
Dona eis requiem
Amen

(Translation:
"Tearful will be that day
When from the ashes arises
Guilty man to be judged.
Spare him then, O God.
Merciful Lord Jesus,
Grant them eternal rest.
Amen.")

A Personal Reflection

There are countless interpretations and analyses of Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor, KV 626. However, this article is a personal reflection, not meant to be definitive or exclusive. Music affects each listener in a unique and deeply personal way.

For Mozart, the Requiem was more than just a composition—it was a farewell to life, an acceptance of death, and a final masterpiece that remains eternal.