THE UST Conservatory of Music staged a musical performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor, KV 626, at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church on April 1 to start Holy Week.
In Roman Catholic tradition, a requiem is a Mass offered for the repose of departed souls.
The UST Symphony Orchestra’s Lenten performance included the main sections of Mozart’s Requiem.The two-part Introitus opened the performance with the “Requiem aeternam,” a prayer for the eternal rest of the souls in purgatory, and the Kyrie.
Sequentia immediately followed, in which six movements were performed: “Dies Irae,” “Tuba Mirum” (Wondrous Trumpet), “Rex Tremendae” (Tremendous King), “Recordare” (To Remember), “Confutatis” (Confounded), and “Lacrimosa” (Weeping).
“Domine Jesu” and “Hostias” were performed during the Offertorium, which were followed by the Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei.
To close the concert, “Lux Aeterna” (Eternal Light) and “Cum sanctis tuis” (With your Saints) were performed during the Communio.
The UST Symphony Orchestra, Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, and student soloists Jasmin Canares (soprano), Gail de la Cruz (alto), Jezreel Mangui (tenor), and EC Garcia (bass) performed during the Lenten concert.
Assoc. Prof. Renato Lucas, the conductor of the UST Symphony Orchestra, said the performance was a tribute to those who died during the pandemic.
Citing St. Augustine, Lucas said people pray twice as much when they pray with music, so it is more potent.
“I have been very insistent that UST, being a Catholic University, should present liturgical music. What is the more opportune time to do this than during the Lenten season,” Lucas told the Varsitarian.
