The 'Lux aeterna' begins with the mezzo singing above the light of tremolo strings, shifting keys uneasily and creating a feeling of peace combined with just a touch of doubt.

Lux aeterna- realaudio

When the mezzo finishes singing the bass enters with 'Requiem aeternam' -in minor key, with dark accompaniment from the orcherstra. The tenor and mezzo try to answer calmly to this but he bursts on them again with 'Requiem aeternam'. Soon however all three soloists join in unaccompanied terzet to the words 'et lux perpetua luceat eis', ending in major.
Requiem aeternam - the bass and the unaccompanied terzet - realaudio

The bass returns, however, to the 'Requiem aeternam', with even fiercer accompaniment from the orchestra.

The mezzo escapes from this with a fluttering 'arioso', like a soul escaping from the fear of death. The bass repeats her melody and all three soloists join in to end the melody peacefully, stressing repeatedly 'In aeternum'.
Again they are an unaccompanied terzet to 'Cum sanctic tuis' and 'Quia pius est'.
A short coda ends this part, with the soprano floating with 'Lux aeterna' from above, while bass and tenor answer from below, darkly 'Requiem', Like a soul floating in the light, above those who mourn the dead.
The orchestra repeats this combination of contrasting elements, and brings the 'Lux aeterna' to its end quietly.

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