Wolfgang Helbich - Joseph Eybler: Requiem (1993)

On the request of the Empress Maria Theresa in 1803, he composed a Requiem in c minor. Although the compositional style of Eybler's requiem is clearly oriented toward Albrechtsberger, Haydn, and, of course, Mozart, its rich orchestration (double choir and lavish wind instrumentation) and highly original formal design attest to an individual expressive style clearly distinguishing it from the run-of-the-mill sacred works littering those times. The regard in which this work was held no doubt helped Eybler receive his appointment as deputy Hofkapellmeister under Salieri in 1804.