Giuseppe Verdi - Messa da Requiem

Although Requiem was a religious work, it was presented more in concert halls than in churches. Giuseppe Verdi wrote the famous Requiem in honour of his close friend, Alessandro Manzoni, the great Italian poet, writer, and humanist, who died in 1873. It is a powerful fusion of intense drama and passion, with moments of reverent simplicity. Verdi conducted the first performance at St. Mark's Church in Milan on May 22, 1874, the first anniversary of Manzoni's death. Revolutionary composition Verdi's Requiem has been revolutionary in two respects: First, because while the traditional requiem is a prayer of the living for the dead, Verdi's work was a function as much for the living as for the dead. As Verdi would expect, it's a dramatic, theatrical play. Written for four solo voices (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and bass) with full choir and orchestra, it follows the typical Roman Catholic Latin mass for the dead. The "libretto" certainly comes from the dram
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Mozart - Andante in C Major for Flute and Orchestra, K315

In December 1777, Mozart wrote to his father in Salzburg about an order he had received from the amateur flute and music patron, Ferdinand De Jean. The order included, among other things, "three short, simple flute concertos".

Mozart wrote two concertos in 1778, but problems arose when the works reached his patron. It is alleged that De Jean rejected  first concert's Andante and asked for its replacement. Mozart responded to this request and wrote an alternative slow part, while the original - shown here - remained independent.

We find it hard to believe that this brilliantly written Andante, with its fluid, melodic flute, is an example of Mozart's composition for his least beloved instrument.

A brief orchestral introduction leads to a slow, lyrical original theme of the flute. The orchestral accompaniment is rich and full, but without ever exceeding the soloist. A string pizzicato leads to a final section - here the flute emerges from its lowest extent to a high point of its range, singing high above the other instruments. A short orchestral part gushing from the last note of the flute.

New, different, rather sad music follows - but no less beautiful. However it does not last long. The earlier ideas are repeated and lead to a cadenza, after which the whole completes the work.  
                           


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