In the last weeks of his life, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart worked intensively on a commissioned composition which, as is well known, he was unable to complete. Count Franz von Walsegg ordered a Requiem from him and also made a handsome down payment of 25 ducats for it. The same sum was to follow after the work was completed. You can find out about the clever tricks Mozart’s widow used to avoid having to return the 25 ducats down payment and to get the remaining sum by clicking on the link above.
Additions to the Requiem newly edited
The version of the Requiem K. 626 completed immediately after Mozart’s death was by Franz Xaver Süßmayr. Over time, however, Mozart experts noticed errors and stylistic inconsistencies in it. Several musicians finally endeavoured to correct Süßmayr’s inadequacies. The Stuttgarter Oratorienchor will now rehearsing Mozart’s fragments, completed and edited by Robert D. Levin, over the next few weeks.
…The aim was not to retouch as much as possible, but as little as possible. The intention was to imitate the character and structure, voice leading, progression and structure of Mozart’s music. …
Preface to the orchestral score
Note on our own behalf
- In our section “Concerts”, or more precisely “Christmas Concerts“, you will find the latest pictures of us again!
- If you would like to sing with us, NOW would be EXACTLY the right time to join. On Friday, 17.01.2020, the second rehearsal of the Mozart Requiem will take place from 18:45 to 20:45. So we are all still at the beginning of the musical elaboration. Just come along! We rehearse in the music hall of the Königin-Katharina-Stift.