A Reimagined Mozart’s Requiem is Coming to the Gracie Theatre on Nov. 3

Published on: October 25, 2024

A reimagined take on a classic entitled Mozart Requiem Renewal will fill the Gracie Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 3:00 p.m. performed by Portland’s Classical Uprising. 

Classical conductor/composer Dr. Emily Isaacson, Indie-rock singer-songwriter Don Mitchell and film composer Joel Lindberg reimagined Mozart’s Requiem using every note that Mozart penned and filling in the blanks to create a 21st-century celebration of life.

It’s not common knowledge that less than half of Mozart’s Requiem was written by him before his 1791 death. When Mozart died, his Requiem was left unfinished. The work fell into the hands of his wife, Constanze, and his two students Joseph Eybler and Franz Xaver Süssmayr. Süssmayr, who wrote the bulk of the version we know today, felt unqualified for the task, writing to the music publisher that he felt unworthy of recreating Mozart’s talent.

“I’ve always loved Mozart’s Requiem. It’s such an epic piece. But when I experienced a close death in my own life, it did not connect to my experience of grieving,” said Dr. Emily Isaacson, artistic director of Classical Uprising. “I am not worried about my loved-one burning in fiery hell (Dies Irae), but I do wonder what happens next. I am not concerned about them being judged in heaven (Tuba Mirum), but I do think about legacy and impact. Mozart Requiem Renewal builds upon Mozart’s great work, but takes the unfinished nature of this piece as an opportunity to reimagine a grief ritual for the 21st century.”

The afternoon concert includes a short pre-concert lecture by Isaacson about Mozart’s process, what he left unfinished, how his students tried to complete his work and why modern musicologists and composers continue to be fascinated by his Requiem more than 200 years later. The lecture begins at 2:40 p.m. and all ticket holders are welcome to attend. The performance follows at 3pm and is the last of three performances of the project. 

“The Gracie is thrilled to host this important and impactful musical experience that brings Mozart’s works back into social spaces while adding a modern dimension to it,” said 

Tickets range from $20-$25 and can be purchased in advance at www.gracietheatre.com,  by calling the box office at 941-7888, or at the door on the day of the show. Educators receive the discounted price of $15.00 and all children 12 and under are free.