 | Tracklist:
I. Introitus: Requiem aeternam
II. Kyrie
III. Sequentia:
- Dies irae
- Tuba mirum
- Rex tremendae
- Recordare
- Confutatis
- Lacrimosa
IV. Offertorium:
- Domine Jesu
- Hostias
V. Sanctus
VI. Benedictus
VII. Agnus Dei
VIII. Communio: Lux aeterna
Release Date: 1791 | |
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On 2 Lists
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| Summary: Mozart's final ever work- Definitely the album of the year (albeit that year is 1791) |
1 of 1 thought this review was well written
Vienna, December 5th, 1791. A bedridden and impoverished Mozart finally loses his ongoing struggle with rheumatic fever. Tightly clutching the pages of his final composition, he utters a single sentence before passing away. . . “Why the **** hasn’t anybody reviewed my Requiem on Sputnikmusic yet?”
Though you may be considering a snide remark about my overactive imagination, the fact is, that for all we know, Mozart’s death could well have happened exactly like that (although, to tell you the truth, I’m not sure my interpretation was entirely accurate.)
You see, the problem is that nobody quite knows the circumstances surrounding Mozart’s death on that fateful day. His final composition, ‘Requiem’, is coated in controversy- it is rumoured that Mozart believed he was writing the Requiem for his own funeral, not to mention that it was actually left unfinished at his death, leaving it to be completed by another composer.
It’s a tale that has inspired books and films alike (the movie ‘Amadeus’, for instance), and frankly makes this epically orchestrated composition even the more tastier. But enough of this history lesson- what of the Requiem itself?
Firstly, it’s important to point out that this really is a grand effort, even to the point of instrumentation; Mozart wrote this for a full blown choir and a complete orchestra, making his final composition buttclenchingly powerful. It’s rather difficult to review this track by track- mainly because there are so many tracks, and I’m a little hungover at the moment.
But this Requiem has absolutely everything for the Classical music enthusiast, and I think most people (be it metal, punk, rock, etc etc) will appreciate this greatly as well. If you’re looking for a nice happy piece of music which will help you relax, then you’d better look elsewhere. This Requiem manages to sound sweet one moment, then grabs you by the b******* and twists until you’re screaming, sweating, and shaking.
Scary to listen to when going to sleep, great to listen to while playing Medieval Total War, and just plain dangerous if you put this on while you're driving.
I would say the highlight of this Requiem is definitely “Dies Irae” (roughly translated, The Day of Judgement. . . or in simpler terms, the most powerful two minutes of Classical music ever written).
Unfortunately, with everything brilliant, there’s usually something not so brilliant, and Mozart’s Requiem is no exception. Personally, I would recommend steering clear of “Tuba Mirum”- in my humble opinion, it doesn’t hold a candle to the rest of the Requiem, and I always find myself skipping past it.
To sum up Mozart’s Requiem: Utterly mind-blowing.
Recommended Tracks:
Introitus: Requiem
Kyrie
Dies Irae
Confutatis
Avoid:
Tuba Mirum
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first off, lol
next, okay review. I wouldn't expect anyone else to review this so...
the second paragraph can prty much get shorttened to one sentence and added to the first.
medieval total war ftw
Digging: After The Sirens - What I Have To Give, Let It Be Enough
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I agree, this piece is wonderful. nice review. Singing this twice was so awesome. pos.
Dies Irae is the shit.
Digging: Cave In - Until Your Heart Stops
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look at how open minded my classical is
Digging: K.M.D. - Black Bastards
| | | Album Rating: 4
Did he do a video for this?
| | | Album Rating: 5
"Dies Irae is the shit"
-EasternLight, I couldn't agree with you more! It's absolutely fantastic. For those who haven't heard it, I recommend searching for it on Youtube. It's powerful stuff.
Digging: Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Sonatas 13 & 14 (Moonlight), Opus | | |
goosebumps. so many.
and yes he did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trOij8SPIAo
| | | Album Rating: 5
Ahahaha that link you set up is utterly. . . bizarre! I've just finished watching that video. . .
It was quite funny, mind =)
Incidentally, EasternLight, have you seen the film Amadeus? If so, what did you think of it?
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yes i have seen it a few times. its good, but I wasn't too fond of the way mozart is portrayed in it. A great film anyway.
| | | Album Rating: 5
Yeah, definitely. Certainly, in the way Mozart was portrayed, I guess it had some elements of truth in it (childish humour, womanising etc), but what I didn't like about it was that they didn't really put across the passion that Mozart had in his music.
I mean, his music wasn't just written on a whim in his spare time- he put a lot of work and dedication into it, and I'm not sure that came across in the film.
Still, though. . . I don't particularly mind how Mozart's wife was portrayed in the film ;)
Woof woof =P
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ohhhh yeah definitely. his legacy will live on. (has lived on)
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Still never found a performance of this I really like. The piece is great though - one of the few Mozart works I can get on board with.
Digging: Shpongle - Ineffable Mysteries From Shpongleland
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not a big mozart fan either.
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