What is lacrimosa?

Lacrimosa

Lacrimosa is a Latin word meaning "weeping" or "tearful." It is most famously known as part of the Dies Irae sequence from the Requiem Mass.

Musical Significance:

• The Lacrimosa section of a Requiem is typically a highly emotional and dramatic movement, expressing grief and sorrow.
• It is a staple in many Requiem settings, including those by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Giuseppe Verdi, and many others.
• Composers often use specific musical techniques to convey the feeling of weeping, such as descending melodic lines, chromaticism, and dissonance.

Liturgical Context:

• In the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass, the Lacrimosa follows the Dies Irae and precedes the Pie Jesu.
• The lyrics of the Lacrimosa focus on the day of judgment and plead for mercy.

Notable Examples:

• Mozart's Lacrimosa from his Requiem is perhaps the most famous and influential example. It remains unfinished due to his death.
• Verdi's Lacrimosa from his Requiem is another powerful and well-known setting.

Other Uses:

• The word "Lacrimosa" can also be used more generally to describe something that evokes sadness or tears.
• There is also a gothic metal band named Lacrimosa.