For hundreds of years, composers have been using a specific four-note melody to evoke death. It's appeared in dozens of famous movies, and you probably never even realized it. But once you hear it, you'll start noticing it everywhere. Featuring musicologist Alex Ludwig and Strong Songs Host Kirk Hamilton.

Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound.

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Discover more at lexus.com/curiosity.

Check out Alex’s list of Dies Irae examples at alexludwig.net.

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Check out The Graduale Project’s Youtube page for more Latin chants. 

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/diesirae

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