On October 25, 2018, I attended a performance at Carnegie Hall by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and soloists and choir of Haydn’s “Nelson Mass” and Mozart’s Requiem.
The “Nelson Mass.” Stupendous. To hear it live is a revelation. Here is the “Kyrie” (the opening section).
I was struck by something when listening to the “Lacrimosa” section of Mozart’s Requiem. The doleful stress of the strings, which beautifully convey tears: the concept of weeping.
It remined me of something: Vivaldi’s magnificent Stabat Mater. The strings in the “Eja mater” section.
I looked up some musical terms used for performance directions. The strings are playing agitato: agitated or restless. Agitato is a direction to play in an agitated manner.
Was Mozart somehow influenced by Vivaldi? No. Just a coincidence.
Did he know Vivaldi or his music? Doesn’t seem that likely.
Mozart did know Bach personally and admired his music. Bach, as is well known, was an admirer of Vivaldi.
— Roger W. Smith
November 2018