Kyrie

Mozart Requiem, Maunder Edition
[2] Kyrie


In response to Kaberle's mentioning the Requiem, I thought I'd follow suit as it was already in my my CD changer!

The Kyrie is the second movement of the Requiem, and is a fugal cry to God for mercy. The text is simple, repeating, and heart-wrenching with the music. Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison (Lord have mercy on us, Christ have mercy on us). Beginning tempo marking is allegro.

The movement begins with the basses on Kyrie with the alto's entrance on the and of 1 in measure 2. they're already singing the Christe with a run that lasts for two and a half measures on the word eleison. The beginning motive in the bass is passed from section to section throughout the piece with very contrapuntal runs on the the word 'eleison'. These runs on the word 'eleison' often end up sounding like a wailing cry for help, especially in measures 40-43 when the sopranos hit their highest notes (going up to a high Bb in the runs). Only for the last two bars of the movement is the choir singing together, and the tempo is taken to a dramatic adagio.

interestingly, the 14th movement of the Requiem is entitled "Cum Sanctis" but musically is the same as the Kyrie.

wow. what an amazing piece of music. i think i'm going to have to get my score and sing the entire thing now. oh well, it'll be a fun night :)