… Dies iræ, dies illa,
Solvet sæclum in favilla:
Teste David cum Sibyllâ.
That day of wrath, that dreadful day,
shall heaven and earth in ashes lay,
as David and the Sybil say.
The Wichita Symphony Orchestra is highlighting 3 pieces this weekend that all feature the 13th century Dies Irae hymn – Liszt’s Totentanz, Daugherty’s Red Cape Tango, and Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique.
An excellent podcast introduction to the Dies Irae hymn in musical literature – with an emphasis on its use in movies.