Mozart, who never acted without consulting his wife, told her about the strange commission, and expressed his desire to also try his hand at this genre, especially since his genius was always ideally suited to the lofty and dramatic style of church music. She advised him to accept the commission. He wrote back to the unknown patron, saying he would compose the Requiem for a certain fee. He could say nothing about the date of completion, but he did wish to know where he should deliver the work when he had finished it. Shortly thereafter the same messenger appeared, bringing no only the stipulated fee, but also, in view of his moderate price, the promise of a considerable bonus upon receipt of the work. He was free to write as his moods and inclinations dictated, but should make no attempt to discover the identity of his patron, as his efforts would surely be in vain.
In the Meantime Mozart received the noble and lucrative commission to write an opera seria for the coronation of Emperor Leopold in Prague. How could he decline the delightful opportunity to visit Prague again and write for his beloved Bohemians?
Just as Mozart and his wife were entering the carriage to embark on their journey, the messenger appeared like a ghost, tugged at Frau Mozart's skirt, and asked, "What will now become of the Requiem?"
Mozart offered his apologies, saying that the suddenness of the journey and his patron's unknown identity had made it impossible to notify him of his departure. He would take up the Requiem immediately upon his return, if the unknown gentleman was prepared to wait. The messenger expressed no objections." (Niemetschek)
This unknown patron was Count Franz Walsegg-Stuppach. He commissioned the work as a memorial to his wife who had died. The Count was in the habit of inviting guests to his home, playing music for them, and then asking who they thought had written it. When his guests would imply that maybe he had written it himself he would merely smile and not respond. This is the genesis of one of the mysteries surrounding the premature death of Mozart and the writing of his unfinished requiem.
Although sketches of later movements survive, the last measures written by Mozart are the first eight bars of the Lacrymosa. In poetic fashion, these eight bars end on a half cadence on the dominant leaving the listener longing for more that will never come.
After Mozart's death the Requiem was completed by his student Franz Xaver Sussmayr. It has been hinted that Mozart did not like Sussmayr, but that seems to be false. In addition, slanderous comments were made implying that Herr Sussmayr had had a relationship with Frau Mozart. These also seem to be false, although the youngest Mozart child was named Franz Xaver Mozart. If the child was named after a trusted friend or his father we will never know for sure.
The Mozart Requiem is one of the greatest pieces of text painting in choral literature. Please listen to the four excerpts I have provided and consider the meaning of the text, and remember that as the music dies, so did Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Dies Irae
A day of wrath; that day,
it will dissolve the world into glowing ashes,
as attested by David together with the Sibyl.
What trembling will there be,
when the Judge shall come to examine everything in strict justice.
Rex Tremendae
King of awesome majesty,
who to grants salvation to those that are to be saved,
save me, o fount of Pity.
Confutatis
When the accursed have been confounded
and sentenced to acrid flames,
call me along with the blessed.
Lacrymosa
That day will be one of weeping
on which shall rise again from the embers the guilty man, to be judged.
Therefore spare him, O God.
Merciful Lord Jesus, grant them rest.
Amen.
Today was my day to present a Minute for Mozart. This was my presentation. It was very well received by my classmates, thus I thought I would share it with you.
Three of my classmates invited me to join them on a short trip out of town to a small art museum honoring the artist Egon Schiele. Schiele was one of the leading visual artists of the Viennese modern art movement. Just as Mozart's life burned bright and was extinguished early so did Egon Schiele. Schiele died at 28 years of age of influenza.
I was unable to take pictures in the museum but I would encourage most of you to do your own search and look at this young masters touching work. His subject matter in his later works tends to be adult in nature and some of you might find them offensive.
As always, photographs of my day can be found here
I also have to add this link. This is my friend Kathy's son singing one of Osmin's arias from The Abduction from the Seraglio
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