Lacrimosa

W A Mozart, arranged by Robert Elliott

Instrumentation: Brass Band

Length: 4 Minutes

Difficulty: C Grade

The Lacrimosa is part of the Dies Irae sequence in the Requiem mass and Mozart's Lacrimosa is probably the best known example. Mozart's Requiem has a long and colourful history (see the Wikipedia Article) with even it's authorship a subject for debate.

Robert arranged this piece at the author's request and what I got back surprised me - a block chorale style of arrangement. After raising an eyebrow and then getting stuck in to the score I found that this works remarkably well! The warmth of a good brass band sound and the gentle approach to instrumentation allows this beautiful music to shine naturally.

The tricky soprano part can be doubled or replaced by the optional Bb cornet part.

Lacrimosa dies illa
Qua resurget ex favilla
Judicandus homo reus.
Huic ergo parce, Deus:
Pie Jesu Domine,
Dona eis requiem. Amen.

In English:

Day of sadness,
on which will rise from ashes
guilty man for judgment.
So have mercy, O Lord, on this man.
Compassionate Lord Jesus,
grant them rest. Amen.

See the Scorch version below. For a larger, clearer version, click here!