Mozart Requiem Renewal.

Mozart never finished his ‘Requiem.’ We decided to try.

It's hard to believe that less than half of Mozart's Requiem, his famous Mass for the Dead, was written by the composer. When Mozart died, the Requiem fell into the hands of one of his students, who felt unqualified for the task, writing “my part is unworthy of this great man.”

Mozart Requiem Renewal uses every note that Mozart penned but reimagines the rest to create a 21st-century celebration of life, with new musical material provided by composers Dr. Emily Isaacson, Don Mitchell, and Joel Lindberg. 

BRING MOZART REQUIEM RENEWAL
TO YOUR TOWN

What: This touring collaboration includes scores, program notes, PR and marketing assets, conductor/lecturer Dr. Emily Isaacson, and soloist/composer Don Mitchell. In addition to the performance, community events can include, but are not limited to:  

• Pre-concert lecture - Dr. Emily Isaacson, musicologist, explains Mozart’s process, what he left unfinished, how his students tried to complete the work, and why modern musicologists and composers continue to be fascinated by his Requiem more than 200 years later.

• Post-concert Q/A - Hear the stories behind the music, ask your questions, and connect more deeply with the performance.

• Mozart Sing-A-Long - Come sing with us! After an hour of rehearsal with conductor Emily Isaacson, and a Mozart-inspired cake party, amateur singers and music lovers perform alongside our soloists.

• Move to the Music - Join Artistic Director Dr. Emily Isaacson and Portland Bach Experience musicians to form a human orchestra. Children use movement and song to learn about rhythm, pitch, tempo, and dynamics.

How:  Mozart Requiem Renewal uses every note that Mozart composed, deletes the work of his students, and rewrites the rest as a 21st-century celebration of life.  

Written by Mozart: If Mozart wrote it, we keep it. This includes the voice parts and continuo through the Hostias, using the Latin text.

Nothing Written by Mozart: Where Mozart was not able to compose music, newly written material is created. The Requiem structure and text are, as it is ecumenical.

Who:

• Your choir: Choir of 24-80 singers from university, church, or arts nonprofit; choir is prepped by local conductor

• Your chamber ensemble: string orchestra of at least 8 violins, 3 violas, 2 cellos, 1 bass, and 2 percussionists

• Your soloists: professional soprano, alto, tenor, and bass soloists chosen in consultation with Classical Uprising

• Artistic Director and Conductor: Dr. Emily Isaacson – St. Andrews Society Scholar; Maine Artist of the Year; three-time winner of the American Prize

• Guitarist: Don Mitchell — Songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer best known for his indie-folk band Darlingside