Requiem for Choir and Orchestra

Requiem is a powerfully appealing and tender exploration of love and loss. Grounded in tradition while incorporating a present-day harmonic language, two Gregorian Chant motives are interwoven throughout the lush harmonies and soaring melodies. The level of difficulty is within the reach of many choirs and most orchestral players, making it an attractive choice for church or concert hall.

Requiem Key Features:

  • Language: Latin or English (at the choice of the conductor)
  • Forces: SATB, Soprano Solo, Bass Solo, Choir
  • Length: Approx. Duration: 28 – 40 minutes
  • Number of Movements: 10
  • Performance Options:
    • Piano/Organ only
    • Organ + Winds (5 players + Org.)
      • Flute, Oboe, Fr. Horn, 2 – Bb Tpts., and Org. (opt. Timp/Perc) – Order the Chamber Score and Parts, Organ plays a separate part and replaces the string parts in the score.
    • Chamber Orchestra (13-20 players)
      • Flute, Oboe, French Horn, 2 – Bb Trumpets, Timpani, Percussion (Glock, Sus. Cym., Crash Cym.), Harp and Strings (3.3.3.2.1) Additional strings may be added for larger choirs.
  • Scores available for the ’23-24′ season, previews available Spring ’23.
Get the Sheet Music

Requiem for Choir and Orchestra

Following the success and Carnegie Hall debut of Seven Last Words, Gloria, Magnificat, and the writing of Te Deum, Requiem is the next in the line of major works by composer Michael John Trotta.

Commissioned by a consortium of 8 choirs, Michael John Trotta’s Requiem engenders grace, hope, and solace for everyone who has experienced loss in their lives.

Requiem is a powerfully appealing and tender exploration of love and loss. Grounded in tradition while incorporating a present-day harmonic language, two Gregorian Chant motives are interwoven throughout the lush harmonies and soaring melodies. The level of difficulty is within the reach of many choirs and most orchestral players, making it an attractive choice for church or concert hall.

The work can be performed in Latin OR English, is 28-40 minutes (depending on optional solo and a cappella movements , has optional soprano and mezzo duet and bass solo, and is scored for either chamber or full orchestra.

  1. Introitus: Requiem aeternam

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion,
Et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem
Exaudi orationem meam
Ad te omnis caro veniet.

  1. Kyrie

Kyrie, eleison!
Christe, eleison!
Kyrie, eleison!

  1. Graduale: Requiem aeternam

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
In memoria aeterna erit iustus,
ab auditione mala non timebit.

  1. Tractus: Absolve, Domine

Absolve, Domine,
animas omnium fidelium defunctorum
ab omni vinculo delictorum
et gratia tua illis succurente
mereantur evadere iudicium ultionis,
et lucis aeternae beatitudine perfrui

.

  1. Sequentia: Dies Irae

Dies irae, dies illa
Solvet saeclum in favilla,
Teste David cum Sibylla.

Quantus tremor est futurus,
Quando judex est venturus,
Cuncta stricte discussurus!

Tuba mirum spargens sonum
Per sepulcra regionum,
Coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit et natura,
Cum resurget creatura,
Judicanti responsura.

Liber scriptus proferetur,
In quo totum continetur,
Unde mundus judicetur.

Judex ergo cum sedebit,
Quidquid latet apparebit.
Nil inultum remanebit.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
Quem patronum rogaturus,
Cum vix justus sit securus?

Rex tremendae majestatus
qui salvandos salvas gratis
sale me, fons pietatis

Recordare, Jesu pie,
Quod sum causa tuae viae:
Ne me perdas illa die.

Quaerens me, sedisti, lassus;
Redemisti crucem passus;
Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Juste Judex ultionis,
Donum fac remissionis
Ante diem rationis.

Ingemisco tanquam reus,
Culpa rubet vultus meus;
Supplicanti parce, Deus.

Qui Mariam absolvisti,
Et latronem exaudisti,
Mihi quoque spem dedisti.

Preces meae non sunt dignae,
Sed tu, bonus, fac benigne,
Ne perenni cremer igne.

Inter oves locum praesta,
Et ab hoedis me sequestra,
Statuens in parte dextra.

Confutatis maledictis
Flammis acribus addictis,
Voca me cum benedictus.

Oro supplex et acclinis,
Cor contritum quasi cinis,
Gere curam mei finis.

Lacrimosa dies illa,
Qua resurget ex favilla
Judicandus homo reus.

Huic ergo parce, Deus:
Pie Jesu Domine:
Dona eis requiem. Amen.

  1. Offertorium: Domine, Jesu Christe

Domine, Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae,
libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum
de poenis inferni
et de profundo lacu.
Libera eas de ore leonis
ne absorbeat eas tartarus,
ne cadant in obscurum;
Sed signifer sanctus Michael
repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam,
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti
et semini eius.

Hostias et preces tibi, Domine
laudis offerimus
tu suscipe pro animabus illis,
quarum hodie memoriam facimus.
Fac eas, Domine, de morte
transire ad vitam.
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti
et semine eius.

  1. Sanctus (+ Benedictus)

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus
Dominus Deus Sabaoth!
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis!

Benedictus

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domine.
Hosanna in excelsis!

  1. Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pecatta mundi
dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
dona eis requiem sempitername.

  1. Lux Aeterna

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis,
quia pius es.

  1. Pie Jesu

Pie Jesu, Domine, dona eis requiem.
Pie Jesu, Domine, dona eis requiem, sempiternam.

  1. Libera me

Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna
in die illa tremenda
quando coeli movendi sunt et terra,
dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem.

Tremens factus sum ego et timeo,
dum discussion venerit atque venture ira:
quando coeli movendi sunt et terra.

  1. In Paradisum

In paradisum deducant angeli;
in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyrus
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem.

Chorus angelorum te suscipat
et cum Lazaro, quondam paupere,
aeternam habeas requiem.

Requiem for Choir and Orchestra

Following the success and Carnegie Hall debut of Seven Last Words, Gloria, Magnificat, and the writing of Te Deum, Requiem is the next in the line of major works by composer Michael John Trotta.

Commissioned by a consortium of 8 choirs, Michael John Trotta’s Requiem engenders grace, hope, and solace for everyone who has experienced loss in their lives.

This work was made possible by the generous support of a consortium comprised of the following choirs:

University of Alabama at Birmingham – Birmingham, Alabama Brian Kittredge, Director of Choral Activities

Texas A&M University – Commerce Chorale – Commerce, Texas Randall Hooper, Director of Choirs and Vocal Activities

The Chancel Choir of Davidson United Methodist Church – Davidson, North Carolina Kevin Turner, Minister of Music and Worship

Summerville High School Green Wave Chorale – Summerville, South Carolina David A. Richardson, Director of Choral Activities

Yorktown High School Choir – Yorktown, New York Andrea Stock, Director

The Lanier Chamber Singers – Gainesville, Georgia John LaForge, Artistic Director and Conductor

St. Andrew Lutheran Church Canticle Choir – Eden Prairie, Minnesota Larry Bach, Director

Sacred Heart Church Chancel Choir – Bloomfield, New Jersey Jennifer D. Behnke, Director of Music

Full Score (PDF)