description Requiem in D minor, K. 626 Overview
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, K. 626, is a profoundly influential orchestral work for solo voice and chorus. Composed primarily between 1791 and 1794, it remains incomplete, with the final section – the Lacrimosa – added by his student Franz Süssmayr. This unfinished status contributes to its enduring mystique and dramatic power.
The Requiem is a cornerstone of the classical repertoire, frequently performed by choirs and orchestras worldwide and appreciated particularly by those interested in religious music and late Baroque/early Romantic orchestral works.
help Requiem in D minor, K. 626 FAQ
Did Mozart finish the Requiem in D minor?
No, Mozart died in 1791 before completing the Requiem, cataloged as K. 626. The best-known completed version was finished by his student Franz Xaver Sussmayr.
Which part of Mozart's Requiem was unfinished?
The Lacrimosa famously breaks off after only a short portion in Mozart's own hand. Later sections were completed or reconstructed by others, with Sussmayr's completion becoming the traditional performing version.
Why is Mozart's Requiem surrounded by so much mythology?
The work was commissioned anonymously, and Mozart died while it was still incomplete, which helped create legends around the piece. Films such as Amadeus amplified the drama, although the movie takes major artistic liberties.
What kind of forces perform the Requiem in D minor?
The Requiem is written for chorus, vocal soloists, and orchestra, following the structure of the Catholic Requiem Mass. Movements such as Dies irae and Lacrimosa are among the most recognizable choral passages in classical music.
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