If I was restricted to choose just one piece of music (of all the music I have had the privilege to hear in my life) to take with me to a Desert island it would be Requiem in D Minor. I first heard it in the movie Amadeus that tops my 100 favourite movies list. A lot of the music that appears in the soundtrack has already appeared here and will continue to grace my blog. The movie has one of the most emphatic endings in all of cinematic history and features a monumental segment of Mozart’s Magnum Opus played at his death.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s final Masterpiece was commissioned in mid 1791 by the Austrian count Franz Von Walsegg, as a Tribute to the passing of his young wife Anna. Mozart began his final composition in Prague, suffering from an undetermined illness, which would eventually take his life and rob him of the chance to see the completion of his Magnum Opus. After Mozart’s death, his understudy ‘Franz Xaver Süssmayr’, at the behest of Mozart’s wife, completed the missing parts of the Requiem.
Requiem Mass was first performed on January 2, 1793, in a private concert for the benefit of Mozart’s grieving wife, Constanze Mozart.
The Following are the lyrics, translated from their Original Latin:
Grant them eternal rest, Lord,
and let perpetual light shine on
them.
You are praised, God, in Zion,
and homage will be paid to You in
Jerusalem.
Hear my prayer,
to You all flesh will come.
Grant them eternal rest, Lord,
and let perpetual light shine on
them.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Day of wrath, day of anger
will dissolve the world in ashes,
as foretold by David and the Sibyl.
Great trembling there will be
when the Judge descends from
heaven
to examine all things closely.
The trumpet will send its wondrous
sound
throughout earth’s sepulchres
and gather all before the throne.
Death and nature will be
astounded,
when all creation rises again,
to answer the judgement.
A book will be brought forth,
in which all will be written,
by which the world will be judged.
When the judge takes his place,
what is hidden will be revealed,
nothing will remain unavenged.
What shall a wretch like me say?
Who shall intercede for me,
when the just ones need mercy?
King of tremendous majesty,
who freely saves those worthy
ones,
save me, source of mercy.
Remember, kind Jesus,
my salvation caused your
suffering;
do not forsake me on that day.
Faint and weary you have sought
me,
redeemed me, suffering on the
cross;
may such great effort not be in
vain.
Righteous judge of vengeance,
grant me the gift of absolution
before the day of retribution.
I moan as one who is guilty:
owning my shame with a red face;
suppliant before you, Lord.
You, who absolved Mary,
and listened to the thief,
give me hope also.
My prayers are unworthy,
but, good Lord, have mercy,
and rescue me from eternal fire.
Provide me a place among the
sheep,
and separate me from the goats,
guiding me to Your right hand.
When the accused are confounded,
and doomed to flames of woe,
call me among the blessed.
I kneel with submissive heart,
my contrition is like ashes,
help me in my final condition.
That day of tears and mourning,
when from the ashes shall arise,
all humanity to be judged.
Spare us by your mercy, Lord,
gentle Lord Jesus,
grant them eternal rest. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory,
liberate the souls of the faithful,
departed from the pains of hell
and from the bottomless pit.
Deliver them from the lion’s
mouth,
lest hell swallow them up,
lest they fall into darkness.
Let the standard-bearer, holy
Michael,
bring them into holy light.
Which was promised to Abraham
and his descendants.
Sacrifices and prayers of praise,
Lord,
we offer to You.
Receive them in behalf of those
souls
we commemorate today.
And let them, Lord,
pass from death to life,
which was promised to Abraham
and his descendants.
Lamb of God, who takes away
the sins of the world,
grant them eternal rest.
Lamb of God, who takes away
the sins of the world,
Grant them eternal rest.
Lamb of God, who takes away
the sins of the world,
grant them eternal rest forever.
Let eternal light shine on them,
Lord,
as with Your saints in eternity,
because You are merciful.
Grant them eternal rest, Lord,
and let perpetual light shine on
them,
as with Your saints in eternity,
because You are merciful.
Reference:
1. Requiem (Mozart) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
While I generally enjoy classical music, I never listen to it. Sadly, I can’t even remember when was the last time.
Based on my nebulous recollection of the pieces I heard many moons ago, I’ve always loved Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony,” Smetana’s “The Moldau” and Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero.” I also have fond memories of Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and Wolf,” to which I listened as a child at my grandpa’s. He was a music teacher and classical pianist and always supported my mostly non-classical musical endeavors.
Very fond memories for me of “Peter and the Wolf”, among the first exposures to classical music. I now play it for my granddaughter. It is a beauty and Prokofiev is a master.
Thanks for sharing a breakdown of which classical pieces have impacted you. I prefer Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 5 over the his famed ‘Symphony’ you mentioned. I love Ravel’s ‘Bolero’ which I wrote about. Smetana’s “The Moldau” is stunning. I don’t believe I am familiar with ‘Peter and the Wolf’, but I heard some of it as I was writing this and it’s charming.
I listen to more Classical music as I grow older. My grandmother was also a classical pianist and I think my enchantment with it now is mainly due to her obsession with it when I was growing up.
There are few things better than this. Exquisite.
Yes. There are just a few pieces which give it a run for it’s money based on my limited musical appreciation – as I mentioned to Jeff: Beethoven’s piano concerto 5, Rachmaninoff Piano concerto No 2 Mov. 2 and Dylan’s Visions of Johanna (Live 1966 Official bootleg). I hope this message finds you well Nancy.
Thanks, Matt. Doing well today, thanks. Ups and downs with arthritis for the last 24 years so this is my normal. I try to cope on the bad days and relish the good ones.
I have found with music, as in most things, a lot depends on my mood or what’s going on at the moment I hear a piece. What is my favorite today may be replaced by something else tomorrow. One of the things I love most about music is hearing something new almost every time I listen to a piece.
It’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it, to be able to listen to whatever we want whenever we want? On my stereo right now: Eat A Peach, Allman Brothers doing what they do best.
Ciao, Matt. Be well. 😎
Hey you! Thanks for opening up about your health challenges. I remember my grandmother not being able to indulge in her love for playing the Piano because of the pain which arthritis brought on.
I also have noticed as I grow older how dependant I am on playing music to elicit a better form of ‘me’ in my mind. It helps me to forge a better version of who I am.
As you alluded to; I think Music as with most ‘great art’ changes it’s significance and context as we experience it. It is indeed beautiful.
I wanted to tell you about the very recent interview with Kevin Spacey with Lex Fridmen who explained his interpretation of the beauty inside the movie ‘American Beauty’. I thought you might like that.
‘Eat a peach’ is coming right up here thanks to your delicious servings haha.
Byes for now..Matt K
Relating to your grandmother being unable to play the piano; I had to give up the organ bc I couldn’t move my legs fast enough to play all the peddles. Most days I can play the piano, though. 🎹 🎼
Have you published any piano playing on your blog?
I’m sorry to read how it has been so debilitating for you to partake in it. My grandma played the organ at her Anglican church, but I think it was her hands which restricted her.
What is your favourite piano piece to play if I may ask?
No, I play for my own pleasure and am also teaching my granddaughter. I love to play Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor and The Swan by Saint Saens. Re Eat A Peach, I really enjoy Mountain Jam but Melissa is my favorite. Of course, Whipping Post is classic Allman Bros not on EAP.
I see. That’s my afternoon taken care of. Haha. Be back soon.
Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor I wrote about in the movies Manchester by the Sea and Gallipoli:
‘I love the stand – alone music in the movie but they introduced the music of Tomaso Albinoni’s – Adagio in G Minor showcased in Gallipoli for the harrowing scene in Manchester By the Sea which left me perturbed. Why did they need to revisit this music so strongly associated with the Australian cinematic masterpiece Gallipoli?
Amazing piece obviously.
I love The Swan..it’s incredible, it reminds me of the string sound of Oceans Fall by here: (to be continued)
They definitely do sound alike but just the first few opening notes before the singing starts. The cello has that unmistakable deep, rich and smooth sound. It can be dark, moody and lovely. Nice share.
I thought you would get a kick out of the Mormon interpretation hehe, but I love what they did there. I’m going one more: with this one from then https://youtu.be/9Z3pjXmNq2
I told my son and daughter. Whatever you do in life growing up searching a partner, go for someone dressed and who behaves like and that and you dress similarly..I hope fingers crossed that they do that and it makes some difference..
Listening to the Allman tracks you sent. I’ve heard a bit of them from Max’s blog at PowerPop. He’s a huge fan. Reminds me of a mellower version of Lynyrd Skynryd. Some ‘Grateful Dead’ thrown in there for good measure, but I know Allman are there own beast. Thanks for the tracks. Much enjoyed.
I didn’t realise Eat a Peach was an album. Which of the songs do you like most from it?
A stunning composition, but then, so were nearly all of Mozart’s works.
Yes indeed. This is my favourite piece of music of all time from my favourite classical music composer. A close second for me is Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concert No 2 Mov 2, Dylan’s Visions of Johanna (Live 1966 official bootleg version) & Beethoven’s Piano Concert No 5 in E Flat Major.
Great. Listening Sunday morning, perfect.
I’m delighted to read that Tom. It’s the bee’s knees as far as musical compositions are concerned. I wish I got a dollar each time I heard parts of the Requiem haha. I don’t really because I owe his legacy more gratitude than I could ever repay.
In films on TV I would hear bits and pieces of it. Always wondered about it. Thanks for the education Matt!
You’re welcome. It’s a drop all tools film and I don’t say that lightly.