What Is the Meaning of the Death Requiem? [Video]

Estimated reading time 2 minutes

Introduction

Do you want to understand the astonishing beauty and heartbreak of a requiem? Do you need to know which famous composers have written them? A requiem is a major musical art form and a solemn ceremony both at the same time. Famous composers such as Mozart, Verdi, and Berlioz have written them. Keep reading What Is the Meaning of the Death Requiem? to learn more.

See section #3 to view videos of Mozart and Verdi’s funeral masses.

This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.

Meaning of the Death Requiem: How Do You Define the Word?

“What is the meaning of the death requiem?” A requiem is a mass for the dead, a funeral service in honor of the deceased.

It’s most often associated with the Roman Catholic church, though other denominations have them as well, and there are secular versions too.
The musical genre is named for the first phrase of the Introit section (“Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine”).
The text in that section asks God to give the deceased enteral rest.

A funeral mass has somber polyphonic music typically written for voices and orchestra, though other arrangements exist.

The mass has multiple sections, such as:

Introit
Kyrie
Gradual
Tract
Dies Irae
Offertory
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Communion
Pie Jesu
Libera Me
In paradisum

Each section performs a specific function in the development of the lyrics and music.

The text usually includes elements of mourning, prayer, and faith.
It’s a time for friends and loved ones to find closure through the hope of an eternal reward for the deceased.
Also, it functions as a memorial service that incorporates readings of Biblical passages as well as other ceremonies.

The next section has videos of Mozart’s and Verdi’s funeral masses.

Meaning of the Death Requiem: Celebrated Composers

Any discussion of requiems would be incomplete without the music. Many classical composers have written them, including:

I’ve included videos of the two most performed funeral masses, one from Mozart and the other from Verdi.

Video: Mozart’s Requiem

Mozart passed away before he could complete his funeral mass.

He finished the Introit and Kyrie sections and drafted eight other sections of the score.
The drafts included the parts for the singers, the bassline and harmonies for the keyboard accompaniment, and notes on the orchestration.
Franz Xaver Süssmayr worked from Mozart’s notes to finish the score.

Video: Verdi’s Requiem

Verdi’s funeral mass is the second most staged choral work after Mozart’s death mass.

It includes a full orchestra plus two choirs.
The funeral mass commemorates the life of Alessandro Manzoni, a friend whose loss Verdi mourned deeply.
It was performed on the first anniversary of Manzoni’s death.

Final Thoughts on “What Is the Meaning of the Death Requiem?”

Here’s a summary of What Is the Meaning of the Death Requiem?

A requiem is a mass for the dead containing many sections.
At the same time, it’s a major musical work for choir, vocal soloists, and orchestra.
Many distinguished classical composers have written them, including Mozart, Verdi, and Berlioz.

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