About the piece
The first movement of the requiem: the Introit (“Requiem aeternam”) joined with the Kyrie, in Latin and four voices. The edition has 91 measures.
How to prepare it
It is intermediate-to-advanced: the voice lines are long and the ranges require some technique (sopranos D4–F♯5 (a major tenth), altos A3–D5 (an eleventh), tenors D3–F♯4 (a major tenth), basses A2–C4 (a minor tenth)). Its character is soft and continuous, so the main work is the legato line and the shared breath; avoid accenting the entrances. Rehearse each voice with piano before putting them together.
When to use it
It is a piece for funerals and for Lenten liturgy, though it is also concert repertoire for sacred music.