Robert Saxton

Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei for the Requiem by Mozart was written in 2017 for a projected TV ‘psycho’ drama about Mozart. The writer/producer Peter Kozminski (who had directed Wolf Hall) wanted a ‘darker’ Agnus Dei in the manner of late Mozart for the drama, replacing the very beautiful movement by Mozart’s pupil, Sussmayer. Debbie Wiseman, who was writing the music for the remainder of the drama (and had written the score for Wolf Hall) asked me to take on this particular task. It proved to be a daunting and humbling experience. Mozart left neither particella or sketches for the Agnus Dei, so it was necessary to work ‘from scratch’ and attempt to capture the spirit of Mozart’s late style. The TV drama was never made (for financial reasons) but Peter Kozminski nevertheless arranged for the Agnus Dei (which I had completed) to be recorded by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers, conducted by Debbie Wiseman. This evening will be the live premiere of this movement and I would like to record my debt of gratitude to Sir Nicolas Kenyon, Marios Papadopoulos, Teresa Cahill (my wife) and Liz Webb Management for their contributions towards enabling this performance.