"Grant them Eternal Rest"



An indescribable musical moment, among many from quite possibly "The most powerful piece of music ever composed by man." --unknown

Mozart's Requiem in D minor, KV.626

As a dire Beethoven advocate, I put all this aside in recognition of this masterpiece of Mozart. The Requiem is a true testament to the understanding of mortality and the anguish and desperation examined throughout.

It is believed that even though the piece was commissioned by a man known as Count Walsegg-Stuppach wishing to pass it off as his own composition for the memory of his deceased wife, Mozart wrote what he could of the Requiem in recognition of his own impending death. Also seen I believe with Chopin in the writing of the "funeral march" movement to his second piano sonata.

I myself was privileged this past evening to have performed this tremendous work. In collaboration with the Choir I'm in, another one from the University and the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra it was an amazing show I felt. The church we were in possesses such amazing acoustics and the piece just lived off the walls. A wondrous sound was achieved.

The video above is of the Agnus Dei from the Mass. An overwhelming source of hope from a mass tormented with anguish and dissent. In addition to the Lacrymosa movement, this was my favorite. The moments at 1:50 and 1:08 are so beautiful. The latter of the two drew tears every time we hit the chord on "peccata," the body can only retain such warm harmony before equilibrium is hit.

I should only be so lucky to be able to perform it again in my lifetime. Enjoy the videos below of more of the mass. I've highlighted the text underneath the video of more of those "musical moments."

Offertorium, "Domine Jesu Christi," & "Hostias"



"Quam olim Abrahae promisisti, et semini ejus"
Let the standard-bearer Holy Michael, bring them into the holy light

Sequencz "Nr.5 Confutatis"



"voca me cum benedictus, Oro supplex et acclinis"
call me among the blessed, I kneel with a submissive heart

You be the judge.

I wonder if Mozart was responsible for Beethoven's belief in seeing his purpose in life by God was to construct beauty with every note? Beethoven was inspired by Mozart in several ways, perhaps it is from Amadeus that Ludwig adopted his destiny.

"cuncta stricte discussurus!"
all things examined closely