The Introit of the Mozart Requiem is one of the most moving, beautifully and subtly scored pieces Mozart wrote in my opinion. The version recorded for the film "Amadeus," wonderfully underscoring the sombre departure of the messenger in black who commissioned the Requiem, is haunting. The tempo in this version is more slow than another recording of the Requiem by the same conductor and orchestra, namely, The Academy of St. Martin-in-the Fields with Neville Marriner conducting.
The slower tempo works well by itself, without the following "Requiem Aternam," as in the "Amadeus" soundtrack. But when played with the "Requiem Aternam," it works better at a somewhat faster tempo otherwise the "Requiem" part when the chorus comes in would drag. I like the slower tempo for the Introit, but I also like a somewhat quicker tempo for the "Requiem Aternam."
Notice during the "Introit" the wonderful use of bassoon and the way the basset horn sneaks in (actually played by clarinet). The absense of high winds keeps the tone sombre and poignant. It is wonderful how Mozart uses the bassoons and basset horns to carry the melodic material, with the strings only accompanying them beautifully...
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