The Dies Irae forms an interesting thread throughout music history. It originated as a 13th century sequence and the words are attributed to Thomas of Celano. Its a standard part of the Missa pro defunctis, or Requiem Mass. Most 16th mass composers used the plaint chant instead in lieu of creating a new setting.
Later composers, Mozart, Berlioz, Verdi, Fauré, etc., often set the text to new music. The melody has been used cantus firmus style by several orchestral and choral composers: Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique (1830), Liszt - Totentanz (1849), Rachmaninov - Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini (1836).