Mozart : Requiem in D minor K626 : II Kyrie
Nikolaus Harnoncourt Lyrics

The lyrics of Nikolaus Harnoncourt's song "Mozart: Requiem in D minor K626: II Kyrie" come primarily from the Latin text of the traditional Requiem Mass, which is a Catholic Mass for the dead. The opening lines translate to "Day of wrath, that day when the world will dissolve in ashes, as foretold by David and the Sibyl." The word "Dies Irae" at the beginning of each stanza means "Day of Wrath" and serves as a refrain throughout the piece.

The lyrics express the terror and awe that the Day of Judgment inspires: "What trembling there will be / When the Judge shall come / To examine all things strictly." The repetition of the refrain emphasizes the inevitability of this day and the importance of preparing oneself for it.

Musically, Harnoncourt's interpretation of Mozart's Requiem is haunting and powerful, with a full choir and orchestra creating a sense of grandeur and urgency. The use of Latin contributes to the sense of reverence and solemnity, while the swelling strings and intense vocals express the overwhelming emotions that the text evokes.