The setting of the Requiem Mass from which this seventh movement �Lacrimosa� is taken was left unfinished at the time of Mozart�s death. Commissioned by Count Franz von Walsegg in memory for his young wife who had died at the age of twenty, two operas, La Clemenza di Tito and The Magic Flute had intervened and the Requiem was laid aside while these two works were completed. The completed sections of the Requiem extended to the first eight bars of the �Lacrimosa�, and two sections of the Offertory, and it was left to Mozart�s pupil Sussmayr working from sketches and outlines left by Mozart to complete the work.

This series of arrangements for string quartet is aimed at string quartets� that are building a repertoire of incidental popular classics and �easy listening� music for social functions of every kind. In preparation also at the time of writing is a collection of the most popular hymns taken from the English Hymnal for string quartet with optional chamber organ. From time to time I shall add further pieces thus building the availability of music that is well known to the general public. String quartets should contact me if they have any particular requests, but here I must stress that strict copyright restrictions may apply for certain commissions.