Introduction to Western Music

Music from the late 19th century (2 works/movements)

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)

Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90, VI (Lento maestoso)

[Listen on YouTube]

The sixth (and final) movement of this piano trio (violin, cello, and piano) begins at 26:34.

Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901)

Messa da Requiem, “Dies irae” for choir and orchestra. This excerpt is Verdi’s setting of the first two stanzas of the text (text and English translation below).

[Listen on YouTube]

The “Dies irae” begins at 9:33 and ends at 12:44. It moves into the next movement without a pause or cadence.

Here is the text and English translation:

Dies iræ, dies illa,   Solvet sæclum in favilla:   Teste David cum Sibylla. Quantus tremor est futurus,   Quando Iudex est venturus,   Cuncta stricte discussurus!

Day of wrath and doom impending!   David’s word with Sibyl’s blending,   Heaven and earth in ashes ending!  Oh, what fear man’s bosom rendeth,   When from heaven the Judge descendeth,   On whose sentence all dependeth.