I'm Maggie Smith, and this is The Slowdown.

My knowledge of classical music is, to put it generously, limited.

My knowledge of Catholicism is limited, too.

So when I looked up the word requiem, I'm not sure what I expected, but I found an interesting rabbit hole to disappear

into for a while. From what I learned, a requiem is a solemn musical setting for a Roman Catholic

Mass for the dead. The name comes from the first line, which,

excuse my Latin, is Requiem Eternum, Dona, Ais, Domene. It means, grant them eternal rest, O Lord. Historically, because they're part of a funeral

service, and because they deal with themes of mortality and loss and even judgment, requiems are

dramatic and emotional.

They generally follow a specific structure

with multiple parts or movements,

as they say in the world of classical music.

These parts can vary,

but typically include the introroit or opening, a movement that often

features a solemn choir. Then the Dias Ere, or Day of Rath, which is an intense movement describing judgment.

Next is the lacrimosa, an emotional movement often considered the climax of many requiemes.

And finally, onyus Dei, a closing prayer for peace.

Some notable examples include Mozart's Requiem, particularly the Lacromosa Movement,

Verdi's Requiem, especially the Deiase Ere movement, and Brahms' German Requiem.

Requiems have evolved over centuries and have meaning and application outside of religious contexts.

It's a powerful metaphor, actually.

A final farewell could be framed as a kind of requiem,

...