Requiem

From Young Composers

The Requiem is the Catholic or Anglican Mass for the dead. It was more commonly found in the days of the Latin Mass, but is making a revival by modern composers.

Structure of the Requiem

The Requiem sometimes begins with an instrumental-only prelude, but more commonly is begun with the Introit, or Requiem aeternam. This is followed by the Kyrie, a short piece that contains first an intoned intention, then the responsorial words, Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison. Proceeding the Kyrie is the Dies irae, or Day of Wrath, which is followed with the Domine Jesu.

The Sanctus is next, sometimes joined with the Benedictus. Then comes the Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God. The mass closes with the communion piece, Lux aterna, and a responsory, the Libera me.

Structured Map of the Requiem

  1. Introit - Requiem Aeternum - Rest eternal
  2. Kyrie eleison - Have mercy
  3. Dies irae
         * Dies irae - Day of wrath
         * Tuba mirum - Hark the trumpet
         * Liber scriptus - Now the record
         * Quid sum miser - What affliction
         * Rex tremendae - King of Glories
         * Recordare - Ah! remember
         * Ingemisco - Sadly groaning
         * Confutatis - From the accursed
         * Lacrimosa - Ah! what weeping 
  4. Offertorium, Domine Jesu
         * Domine Jesu
         * Hostias 
  5. Sanctus
  6. Benedictus
  7. Agnus Dei
  8. Communion: Lux Aeternae
  9. Responsory: Libera me

Text of the Requiem

This text is provided with a literal translation from the original Latin to English.

Introit

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion,

Et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem

Exaudi orationem meam

Ad te omnis caro veniet.

Requiem aeternam dona defunctis, Domine.

Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine

Et lux perpetua eis.

Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord

And let perpetual light shine upon them

A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Zion

And a vow shall be paid to thee in Jerusalem

Hear my prayer

All flesh shall come before you

Eternal rest give unto the dead, O Lord

And let perpetual light shine upon them

Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord

And let perpetual light shine upon them.

Kyrie

Kyrie, eleison!

Christe, eleison!

Kyrie, eleison!

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Dies irae

Dies irae, dies illa

Solvet saeclum in favilla,

Teste David cum Sibylla.

Quantus tremor est futurus,

Quando judex est venturus,

Cuncta stricte discussurus!

Tuba mirum

Tuba mirum spargens sonum

Per sepulcra regionum,

Coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit et natura,

Cum resurget creatura,

Judicanti responsura.

Liber scriptus

Liber scriptus proferetur,

In quo totum continetur,

Unde mundus judicetur.

Judex ergo cum sedebit,

Quidquid latet apparebit.

Nil inultum remanebit.