The time period “requiem” is pronounced as “ruh-kwee-em”. It’s a noun that refers to a mass for the repose of the souls of the lifeless, or to a musical composition that’s usually carried out at such a mass. The phrase is derived from the Latin phrase “requies”, which suggests “relaxation”.
Requiems have been an necessary a part of Christian funeral rites for hundreds of years. The earliest recognized requiem mass was composed within the ninth century, and the custom has continued to the current day. Many well-known composers have written requiems, together with Mozart, Verdi, and Brahms.
