What is it about?

The Dies Irae, a Gregorian chant that is part of the Latin Requiem mass, has been appropriated by composers as of the 15th century and is used in films, games and pop music. These uses, and the history and reception of the Dies Irae, are the topic of this chapter. I present a reasoned synopsis of the Dies Irae and its appropriations in relation to cultural patterns concerning coping with death and fate.

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Why is it important?

The Dies Irae plays an important role in all kinds of cultural expressions. Especially the first four notes of this chant function as a signal of death and fate.

Perspectives

Writing this chapter was a great journey through the history of music, both classical and popular music.

Martin Hoondert
Tilburg University

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This page is a summary of: Dies Irae: Origin and Appropriations, March 2023, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004537996_005.
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