das  Requiem

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁɛkviˌeːm/

🎶 What Exactly is a Requiem?

The word Requiem (which is neuter in German, thus das Requiem) primarily refers to two things:

1. The Mass for the Dead: In Catholic liturgy, the Requiem is a special Mass celebrated for the repose of the souls of the deceased. The name derives from the opening Latin word of the Introitus (opening chant): „Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine“ („Grant them eternal rest, O Lord“).
2. The Musical Genre: It also denotes a musical composition based on or inspired by the texts of the liturgical Mass for the Dead. Famous examples include the Requiems by Mozart, Verdi, or Fauré. These works are often written for choir, soloists, and orchestra, expressing emotions like grief, hope, and awe.

It's a word of Latin origin (requies = rest).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Requiem

The noun „Requiem“ is neuter, so it always takes the article das. It is usually used in the singular; the plural form is rare but possible (die Requiems).

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

✨ Example Sentences

1. Mozarts Requiem ist weltberühmt. (Mozart's Requiem is world-famous.)
2. In der Kirche wurde ein Requiem für die Opfer des Unglücks gefeiert. (A Requiem was celebrated in the church for the victims of the accident.)
3. Viele Komponisten haben beeindruckende Requiems geschaffen. (Many composers have created impressive Requiems.)
4. Das Hören eines Requiems kann sehr bewegend sein. (Listening to a Requiem can be very moving.)

💡 How to Use 'das Requiem'?

The term das Requiem is mainly used in two contexts:

• Religious Context: When referring to the Catholic Mass for the Dead. Example: „Der Priester zelebrierte das Requiem.“ (The priest celebrated the Requiem Mass.)
• Musical Context: When discussing a corresponding musical composition. Example: „Wir besuchen heute Abend eine Aufführung von Verdis Requiem.“ (Tonight we are attending a performance of Verdi's Requiem.)

Less commonly, it might be used metaphorically for something symbolizing an end or expressing a solemn, grave mood, but this is rather unusual.

Compared to Totenmesse or Seelenamt (synonyms for the liturgical form), Requiem often emphasizes the musical aspect more strongly, even when referring to the mass itself.

🧠 Memory Aids

1. For the article 'das': Remember that many musical genres or terms borrowed from Latin are neuter in German. Imagine: „Das Orchester spielt das Konzert, das Lied und am Ende das Requiem.“ (The orchestra plays the concert, the song, and at the end, the Requiem.) Or: Think of the central request in a Requiem, which is for 'rest' – „Das Geschenk der Ruhe“ (the gift of rest; 'Geschenk' is neuter -> das Requiem).
2. For the meaning: The word sounds like 'rest' (Latin requies). A Requiem is music or a mass for the eternal rest of the deceased.

Mnemonic: Das Requiem provides rest (Ruhe) to the soul.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar But Different Words:

• Messe: General term for a church service (Mass), not specifically for the deceased.
• Liturgie: The entire rite and order of a religious service.
• Oratorium: A large-scale musical composition, usually on a sacred theme, but not specifically a Mass for the Dead.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Frage: Warum hat Beethoven sein Handy ausgeschaltet, als er sein Requiem komponierte? Antwort: Damit er nicht von Anrufen aus dem Jenseits gestört wird!

English: Question: Why did Beethoven turn off his phone while composing his Requiem? Answer: So he wouldn't be disturbed by calls from the afterlife!

📜 Poem about the Requiem

German:
Klänge schwer und doch voll Licht,
die Orgel seufzt, das Herz zerbricht.
Für Seelenruh', ein letzter Sang,
das Requiem, so ernst und lang.
Es mahnt ans Ende, an die Zeit,
schenkt Trost in tiefer Traurigkeit.
Musik, die Brücken baut zur Ruh',
hört leise, andachtsvoll nun zu.

English Translation:
Sounds heavy, yet full of light,
The organ sighs, the heart takes flight.
For peace of soul, a final song,
The Requiem, so solemn and long.
It warns of endings, of passing time,
Gives solace in sadness sublime.
Music that bridges to the peace,
Listen softly, find release.

❓ A Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin Musik, doch oft Gebet,
wenn jemand von der Welt weggeht.
Lateinisch klingt mein erster Ton,
Mozart schrieb mich, kennst du mich schon?
Mein Artikel ist sächlich klar,
ich bin für die Verstorb'nen da.

Was bin ich?

... Das Requiem

English Translation:
I am music, yet often a prayer,
When someone leaves this world of care.
My first sound rings in Latin old,
Mozart wrote me, a story told.
My article is 'das', you see,
I exist for the deceased's decree.

What am I?

... Das Requiem

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Origin: The word comes from the accusative case of the Latin word requies (rest, repose). The first sentence of the traditional Latin Mass for the Dead begins with „Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine“ („Grant them eternal rest, O Lord“).
• Famous Composers: Besides Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, other prominent composers of Requiems include Giuseppe Verdi, Gabriel Fauré, Johannes Brahms (Ein deutsches Requiem - A German Requiem), Hector Berlioz, Antonín Dvořák, and many others.
• Liturgical Parts: A classical Requiem often includes movements such as Introitus, Kyrie, Sequentia (Dies irae), Offertorium, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Communio.