W. A. Mozart, Requiem at the Hour of His Death

Stephanplatz

1010 Wien

 

Performers

Vienna Cathedral Orchestra

The Really Big Chorus

Programme

W. A. Mozart, Requiem (KV 626) - at the Hour of His Death

In the night from 4 to 5 December 1791, Mozart died of "hot frieselfever" in Vienna. Every year on this occasion the Night Requiem, which ends with a solemn procession and the ringing of the death bell approximately at the minute of the composer's death (5 December 1791, 0:55am), represents an atmospheric highlight in the concert calendar of St. Stephen's Cathedral.

W. A. Mozart’s Requiem is one of the best and most moving pieces classical music has to offer. The myths surrounding Mozart's last composition contribute to the incredible appeal of this masterpiece. The Requiem is filled with the strong emotions that come to man in the face of death: Fear, anger, despair, sadness, hope, consolation.

During his lifetime and after his death, Mozart was associated with the cathedral in several ways: He married Constanze Weber there, had two of his children baptized in the cathedral and a few months before his death, Mozart applied for the position of music director adjunct at St. Stephen's. Mozart's name can be found both in the records of his death and in the cathedral's Book of Death Related Fees, as is his wedding with Constanze Weber.

(Source: Kunst & Kultur)