'Requiem for Orlando’ Honors Florida Nightclub Shooting Victims With Mozart Mass

Andrew Senn, director of music at First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, held a Requiem for Orlando musical performance last Sunday in tribute to the lives lost during the Orlando, Florida nightclub shooting on June 12.

Senn led members of Opera Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Academy of Vocal Arts and other musicians in a stirring concert comprised of various movements from Mozart's Requiem Mass in D minor as well as other fitting works by the likes of Dawson, Fauré, Brahms and Barber.

Philly.com described the tribute as a somber and emotionally-effecting symphonic display. Writer Peter Dorbin reported the concert's affecting use of Mozart's compositions:

"The pieces were arranged in an emotional arc, and effectively so, though in the context of the occasion the Mozart that opened was a complete experience in itself. The text of Ave verum corpus is about the transformative power of suffering, but Mozart's setting, with its gorgeously unexpected harmonic change toward the middle, suggested to the nonreligious listener a more universal message that perhaps these deaths would not go without prompting real change."

On June 12, a man later identified by authorities as Omar Mateen opened fire at Orlando nightclub Pulse, killing 49 people and wounding over 50 more. The attack shocked the nation and brought further discussions on gun violence in America to the fore.

As of today, reports are emerging that the gunman first visited the club earlier that night but eventually left, only to return later in perpetrating the horrific mass shooting:

"The gunman paid the entry fee, obtained a wrist band, and entered the club, the officials said. Investigators believe he may have been checking the club security. Surveillance video, cell phone tracking along with witness interviews have helped the FBI to build a timeline of his whereabouts on the night of the attack."

Apart from Senn's touching gesture at Philadelphia's First Presbyterian, tribute concerts and masses were held across the country to honor the shooting victims.

Listen to Mozart's Requiem Mass in D minor here:

We want to hear from you. Let us know what you think of director Andrew Senn and First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia's Requiem for Orlando in the comments section below.

TagsRequiem for Orlando, Orlando Nightclub Shooting 2016, Mozart, Andrew Senn