Part 1: Reflect

Remembering Lives Lost in the Pandemic

“Grant Them Eternal Rest”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 and died in 1791.  In the musical genius’s short lifetime, he wrote more than 600 works, both sacred and secular, in an astounding variety of genres and styles. Mozart’s final composition, Requiem, is undoubtedly among his most magnificent achievements and beloved works, famous not only because of the music, but also from the story behind its composition.

When the year 1791 began, Mozart did not foresee that he would die before the year ended.  Nor did he know that a commissioning he received during summer 1791 to write a requiem would, in fact, turn out to be his own musical memorial.  In fact, Mozart was a busy man that year, composing operas and orchestral works, performing publicly as a pianist, and being as prolific as ever.  But on November 20, Mozart was stricken with the first serious symptoms of the illness that would claim his life just 15 days later.  The great composer died in the early morning hours of December 5, 1791 at the age of 35.

When the year 2020 began, none of the more than half million Americans who lost their lives to COVID-19 could foresee that they would be killed by a virus declared a global pandemic in March 2020.  The virus claimed young people, who, like Mozart, were in the prime of their lives; healthy family members who a few weeks earlier were going about their daily business, elderly populations and their caregivers, health care workers, first responders, and workers in the service sector.  And so many more, their backgrounds, histories, occupations, and circumstances of endless variety. 

The St. Louis Church Concert Series, in collaboration with The Columbia Orchestra, is performing Mozart’s Requiem in this season’s final concert to honor each life that succumbed to the coronavirus.  It pays tribute to ordinary Americans, among us just last year or even last month, who made an extraordinary impact on those who knew them.  Many victims experienced painful and lonely deaths, unable to hold the hand of a loved one in their final moments and bid farewell in their presence.  Those who died are united—not by a single, completed tragic event, but by a global health crisis still ongoing.  

For more than two centuries, Mozart’s masterpiece has endured, ranking among the great choral works.  Now it is the music that we have chosen to honor, remember, and mourn those individuals lost to the coronavirus and to pray for their eternal rest.

Part 2: Rejoice

The second half of the program celebrates Monsignor Joseph Luca and his exemplary service to God, the church, and people in his 50 years as a priest and pastor. Beloved by St. Louis and St. Francis parishioners and throughout the community for his leadership and dedicated service, Monsignor Luca has also been a tireless champion of the concert series over the years. Audiences will be treated to music specially selected for Monsignor.

Join us in the church or through virtual access for this poignant and inspiring concert that travels on a musical journey from remembrance and reflection to celebration and hope.