Introit
The Introit serves as the Requiem's opening title sequence. As with the musical settings for each of the movements, the Introit was inspired by the beauty and grandeur of some of the world's great cathedrals and churches.
The Composition The texts of the Requiem Mass reflect the traditional understanding of the Christian's relationship to God. The believer feels terrible guilt for his many transgressions; he approaches God in fear, because he knows that his sins are unforgiveable, and deserving of punishment; and he prays that God, in his sovereignty over all creation, may forgive.
With the Introit, which begins and ends with a forceful theme in the brass and strings, I wanted to emphasize at the outset both the seriousness of our dilemma in the face of death, and also the majesty and power of God, by whose grace we are assured of eternal life. This theme anticipates the 4th movement, Tuba Mirum: "Death and nature will be astounded, when all creation rises again," and the final movement, "Lux Aeterna."
The orchestral Introit is scored for strings (24 violins, 8 violas, 8 cellos, 6 double basses), brass (6 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones,1 tuba), and timpani. The tempo is largo, evoking the slow dignity of a funeral procession.
