Dies irae

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 'Dies Irae' is a powerful and evocative piece from his Requiem Mass in D minor, K. 626. The title 'Dies Irae' translates to 'Day of Wrath' in Latin, which is a theme that permeates the lyrics and the ominous, dramatic composition of the music. The text of 'Dies Irae' is a medieval Latin poem, describing the Last Judgment, where all humanity is judged by God. It is filled with vivid imagery of the apocalypse and divine judgment, intended to evoke fear and awe.

The lyrics repeatedly mention 'Dies irae, dies illa,' emphasizing the day of wrath and destruction. References to 'Solvet saeclum in favilla' which means 'the world will dissolve in ashes,' along with 'Teste David cum Sibylla,' indicating King David and the Sibyl (a prophetess) as witnesses, enhance the foreboding tone of the prophecy. The repeated lines 'Quantus tremor est futurus, Quando judex est venturus, Cuncta stricte discussurus!' translate to 'What trembling there will be, when the judge is coming, strictly to examine all things!' This highlights the fear of the impending judgment.

Mozart's setting of this text in his Requiem uses a dramatic and forceful composition to match the intense and fearful imagery of the lyrics. The music amplifies the sense of dread and the inevitability of judgment, making 'Dies Irae' not only a cornerstone of classical choral repertoire but also a profound contemplation on mortality and divine justice.