A German Requiem

Composer Johannes Brahms wrote A German Requiem (German Ein deutsches Requiem) after the death of his mother in 1865. The text was taken from the Bible, but otherwise does not follow the typical liturgical setting of the Requiem Mass. Moreover, as the title implies, the text is in German, and more aligned with the philosophical beliefs prevalent in late 19th-century German-speaking countries than with Christian doctrine.

It is cast in seven movements, and requries between 70 and 80 minutes to perform.

Movements

I. Selig sind, die da Leid tragen

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4)
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:5-6)

II. Denn alles Fleisch es ist wie Gras

"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away."(I Peter 1:24)
"Be patient therefore, bretheren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." (James 5:7)
"But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (I Peter 1:25)
"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:10)

III. Herr, lehre doch mich

"Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, wha it is, that I may know how frail I am.
Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state s altogether vanity. Selah.
Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee." (Psalm 39:5-8)
"The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God and there shall no torment touch them." (Wisdom of Solomon 3:1)

IV. Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen

"How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah." (Psalm 84:2, 3, 5.)