Variationes in cantu gregoriano

The sequence “Dies irae” dates from the 13th century and was written by the Franciscan Thomas of Celano. It comes from a mass for the dead which today is not only the most popular Gregorian requiem chant, but one of the best-known melodies in the repertoire. The poem points to the rigour with which God will preside at the Last Judgement, with the trumpet summoning souls to the throne where the pure will be delivered and sinners cast into hell.