Mozart: Requiem, original unfinished version [1/3]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Requiem Mass in D minor, K626 - original unfinished version (without Süssmayr completition).

Part 1/3:
I. Introitus: Requiem aeternam
II. Kyrie eleison
III. Sequentia:
Dies irae
Tuba mirum

New Berlin Chamber Orchestra - Chorus musicus Koeln
Iride Martinez, Steve Davislim, Kwangchul Youn, Monica Groop (soloists)
CHRISTOPH SPERING (conductor)

NOTES:
Introitus is complete, Kyrie is almost fully orchestrated, Sequentia and Offertorium are fully sketched in voices and continuo, but we have only the first eight bars of Lacrimosa (which ends the Sequentia).
The last piece (in part 3/3) is a short sketch for an Amen fugue, which could be part of the Requiem, we don't exactly know.
Note that Süssmayr decided to end the work by adapting the opening two movements which Mozart had written to the different words of Lux Aeterna. This original unfinished version ends with the Amen sketched fugue not presenting the Lux Aeterna.

[teacake_]

In my humble opinion the emptiness of this recording (because of the incomplete orchestration in most parts) add to the an eerie, desolate mood that is very appropriate for a 'death mass'. All the other requiem recordings I've heard (Marriner, Karajan, Bohm, Davis, Harnoncourt & Gardiner to name a few) can't reach this level of intensity and emotional desolation because they're too 'over-orchestrated'.

[corner]

This is the most melancholic and dramatic version of the Introitus I've ever heard. It's just perfect.

[quepacho]

Why would anyone in their right mind ever dislike this?

[Doug]

Sussmayr was selected to be the copyist for the final score to be delivered because his writing was very similar to Mozart's. when he took over the project, Constanze gave him "scraps of paper" from Mozart's desk not knowing what was on them thinking they might be sketches. She also said that Sussmayr did "what any other composer could have done, since Mozart had already written out all the important parts".

[gpeddino]

I. Introitus: Requiem aeternam (0:00)
II. Kyrie eleison (6:22)
III. Sequentia:
Dies irae (10:10)
Tuba mirum (11:49)

[ktcountrygirl]

That puts words to exactly how I was feeling about this piece. The simplicity of the arrangement and the feeling of humility from the singer's feels much more appropriate.

[VexaSn]

Eerie, yet very spiritual recording of Mozart's unfinished masterpiece... The slower than average tempo and the empty instrumentation (salve the Introitus) present an unique perspective on this work. Thank you for sharing!

[ComposerJMA]

I am glad you posted this. Many people are unaware on how much of k626 wasn't even mozart's.

[gradwhan]

Nun, ich denke doch, dass ein Stück mehr ist als nur seine Instrumentierung. Dies ist genau dies was Süßmayr bis einschließlich des Hostias gemacht hat. Bis zu diesem Satz (abgesehen von dem Lacrimosa) ist es eindeutig Mozart zuzuschreiben, wie es diese herrliche Aufnahme beweist! Es erübrigt sich jegliche Diskussion wer dieses Requiem komponiert haben mag, da nur Mozarts Original benutzt wurde.
Süßmayr hat einen großartigen Dienst an der Musik getan, diese genialen Gedanken zu Ende zu bringen.

[gpeddino]

Spectacular introitus. There's indeed a degree of fragility in this recording that is new to me. And I know many recordings of the Requiem.

[samsonesq]

I love this....It is the mother piece...Bare and pure...

[Trunkswr]

Nothing like the original, only Mozart, the other versions carry with them less insightfulness with their added clutter.

[Doug]

Josef Eybler wrote the tympani (and the rest of the orchestration for Dies Irae to Confutatis, which Franz Sussmayer mostly copied for the final 'official' completion). Eybler was respected by Mozart and visited Mozart several times during his final illness, so its very possible Mozart discussed orchestrations with him he had not written out yet.

[ericrouach]

thanks so much for posting a true unfinished version of the requiem, and not an imposture by sussmayer

[jwbrough]

wow thanks i love the requiem and always wanted to hear just the pure mozart version thanks

[peanarchist]

one dislike = one lost soul without a sound card :(

[thebloads]

Wow i love the tempo! Really clarifies the contrapunctal structure

[Doug]

Sussmayr said he completed the Lacrymosa, the orchestrations for Domine and Hostias, and then composed the Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei. research however shows that he may have composed these sections with assistance from outlines left by Mozart

[gmonkey]

I was also told that the Lacrimosa was the last piece of music that Mozart heard and that he cried at its beauty.

I think I will just continue to believe that as it is quite a magical idea.

[antiseri]

the "extraordinary" Mozart consists in the fact that it is excellent in any "speed"...