dark-attentiondark-datedark-timedark-contactdark-infodark-play dark-pricedark-venueicon-alert icon-arrow-left icon-arrow-right icon-blockquote icon-cal icon-clock icon-contact UI / Full-Part-Volunteer CopyCreated with Sketch. EPS IconCreated with Sketch. icon-facebook--dark_circle icon-facebook--dark_square icon-facebook--outline_circle icon-facebook--outline_square icon-facebookCreated with Sketch. icon-htm icon-info icon-instagram--dark_circle icon-instagram--dark_square icon-instagram--outline_circle icon-instagram--outline_square icon-instagram icon-linkedin--dark_circle icon-linkedin--dark_squareicon-linkedin--outline_circleicon-linkedin--outline_squareicon-linkedin icon-logo2 icon-mp3 icon-pinterest--dark_circle icon-pinterest--dark_square icon-pinterest--outline_circle icon-pinterest--outline_square icon-pinterestCreated with Sketch. icon-play icon-price icon-spotify--dark_circle icon-spotify--dark_square icon-spotify--outline_circle icon-spotify--outline_square icon-spotify icon-spreadsheet icon-threads--dark_circle icon-threads--dark_square icon-threads--outline_circle icon-threads--outline_square icon-threads icon-tiktok--dark_circle icon-tiktok--dark_square icon-tiktok--outline_circle icon-tiktok--outline_square icon-tiktok icon-twitter--dark_circle icon-twitter--dark_square icon-twitter--outline_circle icon-twitter--outline_square icon-twitterCreated with Sketch. icon-x--dark_circle icon-x--dark_square icon-x--outline_circle icon-x--outline_square icon-x icon-youtube--dark_circle icon-youtube--dark_square icon-youtube--outline_circle icon-youtube--outline_square icon-youtubeCreated with Sketch. FolderCreated with Sketch. icon-zoom light-attentionlight-cal light-clocklight-contactlight-infolight-play light-pricelight-venue

What the Fugue is a Requiem?

A musical celebration and honoring of the dead based on religious texts is called a requiem. November 15 & 16, you’ll hear one of the most famous of the genre at The Mozart Requiem.

Requiems have been around since the second century when they were composed using simple chants. Like a fine wine, music has aged into a mature bold sound. Composers started incorporating something called polyphony into vocal chant music during the 15th century. Polyphony combines independent musical lines that act as their own melodies while also creating harmony against each other.

Think of it like this… the chant is like a conga line; everybody moves in one line in the same direction. Polyphony is like ballet — groups of dancers perform their own routines in support of the entire production on stage. Each dancing group looks great individually and in combination.

Or imagine the chant music like trying to merge onto I-25 South from Highway 6, and polyphony is like what I imagine being a pilot with the Thunderbirds is like: conquering the sky in every direction… smooth, majestic, and totally awesome.

Composers then upped the ante by combining the now polyphonic chorus with a full-blown orchestra.

Mozart’s Requiem

Now keep in mind, Mozart wasn’t the first to write for this new souped-up sound. His requiem is however full of unique sounds and a history of its own.

Mystery surrounded the requiem from the very beginning. A count who wished to remain anonymous commissioned the composition to honor his deceased wife. It just so happens that Mozart was working on it near the end of his own life and didn’t actually complete it himself. In fact in some movements, he only completed vocal parts and basso continuo lines (basically a blueprint for what the harmony should be). The debate continues today over who wrote which parts, and how much is authentically Mozart. Regardless of who wrote what, the requiem is both incredible and an important piece within the classical canon.

Don’t miss The Mozart Requiem in our dramatic collaboration with Central City Opera and the Performing Arts Academy.

Headshot Image for Brandon Kinsey

Brandon Kinsey

Author

Brandon has degrees in violin performance and music theory from the University of Wyoming and the University of Denver. His music passions lie in teaching, composing, arranging. In his spare…

Read More