Sydney Philharmonia Choirs present: MOZART REQUIEM Easter Saturday, 26 March 2016, 2PM Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Don't miss! Book on line Sydney Opera House box office! Drawing on his musical genius and unparalleled understanding of the human voice, with passion and heavenliness, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart produces his last composition as he lays dying. His Requiem is music of profound humanity and splendid beauty. Join the charismatic Brett Weymark, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs' Artistic & Music Director, conduct Mozart's Requiem and an Australian premier from Tavener, with SPC's Symphony Chorus, Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra and fine line of soloists, this Easter Saturday, 26th March 2016, 2PM, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House.
Soloists include:
Taryn Fiebig, Soprano
Sian Pendry, Mezzo soprano
Jonathan Abernety, Tenor
Michael Honeyman, Baritone
Shane Lowrencev, Bass
Wolfgang A. Mozart's last words? It is not easy to verify the composer's last words, however, he allegedly passed away
after saying: "The taste of death is upon my lips...I feel something
that is not of this earth".
Johann Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart (January 27, 1756 - December 5, 1791)
Since his death in 1791, Wolfgang A. Mozart's Requiem has remained a profound presence in the midst of the world events, both tragic and joyous... although it talks about death as dark, agonizing, and pleading of help, Mozart's requiem is not a depressing work but rather graceful and powerful.
At the age of 35, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart passes away almost an hour after midnight on December 5, 1791, leaving his last composition, the Requiem Mass in D minor (K, 626), unfinished and completed with the assistance from his pupil Franz Xaver Süssmayr. This work is one of Mozart's considered masterpieces and most popular works to this day. While ailing and confined to bed, he tirelessly worked on it. (Image: MozartProject.org)
Süssmayr work on completion from the Unfinished Mozart Requiem
The Requiem Mass in D minor, K. 626, was the last composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and was left
unfinished at the Austrian composer's untimely demise in Vienna and completed by his devoted pupil Franz Xaver Süssmayr. Under the supervision of Constanze, Mozart's widow, efforts to complete the Requiem began immediately after the composer's death. She contracted a pupil of Mozart, Franz Xaver Süssmayr, to finish the work. Initially, she contracted two composers to work on Requiem's completion: Joseph Eybler and Franz Xaver Süssmayr. Joseph Eybler (1765-1846), was a good musician who later became Hofkapellmeister. He orchestrated the Dies irae as the Lacrimosa. Then he stopped working on it.
The Requiem was delivered to Count Franz von Walsegg, who had anonymously commissioned the piece for a requiem Mass to commemorate his wife's death anniversary, February 14. The Requiem Mass was first performed on January 2, 1793, in a private concert for the benefit of Mozart's grieving wife, Constanze Mozart.
Photo: THE DEATH OF MOZART
Oil painting by Irish artist Henry O'Neill circa 1870
Below video, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem in D minor K 626 (complete), with Nathalie Stutzmann, conductor · OSESP Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo · Coro Acadêmico e Coro da Osesp · Lisa Larsson, soprano · Wilke te Brummelstroete, mezzo soprano · John Mark Ainsley, tenor · Burak Bilgili, baritone / Recorded at Sala São Paulo, Brazil, 21 November 2013. Here's a link to another performance conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann: Mozart: Requiem - BBC PROMS 2019, The BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, with Fatma Said, Kathryn Rudge, Sunnyboy Dladla and David Shipley in Mozart's Requiem. YouTube, uploaded by David Durham. Accessed December 6, 2022.
The Requiem is scored for 2 basset horns in F, 2 bassoons, 2 trumpets in D, 3 trombones (alto, tenor & bass), timpani (2 drums), violins, viola and basso continuo (cello, double bass, and organ). The vocal forces include soprano, contralto, tenor, and bass soloists and a mixed choir of standard SATB.
Join Mozartians and Mozart admirers worldwide in celebrating Mozart's 230th death anniversary this year 2021. For our readers' reflective listening pleasure, we share with you his final work - Mozart's Requiem in D. The performance is interpreted by Sir Georg Solti backed up by Wiener Philharmoniker. So melancholy, solemn, and fit to commemorate someone who has immensely delighted us with his music through time.
Mozart's Requiem performance on the bicentenary of his death, 1991.
W. A. Mozart (Jan 27, 1756 - Dec. 5, 1791)
On the bicentenary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's death, December 5, 1991, Vienna hosted a special performance of his Requiem as a liturgical mass, for him as the decedent. It was performed at St. Stephen's Cathedral, where Mozart's wedding and funeral services were held.
Hearing prayers for Mozart in this sacred place which was so central to his life, is absolutely arresting. The soloists, choir and musicians are conducted by Sir Georg Solti, all being of the highest order. The end is not met with the applause we are accustomed to hearing in concert performances, but a recessional of melancholy beauty.
Related Article: Mozart Requiem Completed (My apology, the site where I published my article is currently unavailable. / Tel, March 20, 2016.)
Mozart - Requiem - Cecilia Bartoli - George Solti 1991
Video Credit:
Mozart Requiem - Cecilia Bartoli with George Solti conducting. Accessed Dec 3, 2013.
Post Credit:
Sherry Davis, The Chronicles of Modern Day Mozartian.
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs present:
Don't miss! Book on line Sydney Opera House box office! Drawing on his musical genius and unparalleled understanding of the human voice, with passion and heavenliness, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart produces his last composition as he lays dying. His Requiem is music of profound humanity and splendid beauty. 
