Funeral of The Duke of Edinburgh

[cat]

Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Adagio espressivo (Sonata in A minor) – Sir William Harris (1883–1973)
Salix (The Plymouth Suite) – Percy Whitlock (1903–1946)
Berceuse (Op 31 No. 19) – Louis Vierne (1870–1937)
Rhosymedre (Three Preludes funded on Welsh Hymn Tunes) – Ralph Vaughan Williams – (1872–1958)

The Sentences, set to music by English composer William Croft (1678-1727)
Eternal Father, Strong To Save (Melita), by J. B. Dykes (1823-76) and William Whiting (1825-78), arranged by James Vivian (b. 1974)
The Jubilate, Benjamin Britten (1913-76)
Psalm 104. William Lovelady (b. 1945) arr. James Vivian (b. 1974)
The Lesser Litany, William Smith (1603-45), adapted by Roger Judd (b. 1944)
The Lord’s Prayer, Robert Stone (1516-1613) from John Day’s Certaine Notes 1565
Russian Kontakion of the Departed. Translated William John Birkbeck (1859-1916). Kiev Melody, arranged by Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924)
The National Anthem

Prelude and Fugue in C minor BWV 546

Luke Bond (organist)
James Vivian (Director of Music)

The choir will be "three lay clerks plus a soprano". I expect the choristers will be disappointed, knowing how much of a career highlight for them the two weddings in recent years were. Not sure why they couldn't sing as most places seem to have managed it by now.

[Bryn]

. . . The choir will be "three lay clerks plus a soprano". I expect the choristers will be disappointed, knowing how much of a career highlight for them the two weddings in recent years were. Not sure why they couldn't sing as most places seem to have managed it by now.

The aim is to keep it simple and set a good example re COVID-19 safety, is it not?

[cat]

The aim is to keep it simple and set a good example re COVID-19 safety, is it not?

Is it? I'm not sure that cathedrals up and down the country are currently setting a bad example with unsafe, complicated choirs.

[french frank]

Is it? I'm not sure that cathedrals up and down the country are currently setting a bad example with unsafe, complicated choirs.

There will only be 30 people attending, and, I agree with Bryn, it's obviously being kept simple.

[teamsaint]

Surely people either have the message about masks and distancing by now? If they haven’t they never will.


Masks and distancing apparently will not required in a one fifth capacity stadium for the cup final in a few weeks time.

I do hope that our head of state ( or anybody else in the funeral group) is not required to wear a mask today.

[Pulcinella]

Surely people either have the message about masks and distancing by now? If they haven’t they never will.


Masks and distancing apparently will not required in a one fifth capacity stadium for the cup final in a few weeks time.

I do hope that our head of state ( or anybody else in the funeral group) is not required to wear a mask today.

From the BBC News website:

Attendees are expected to wear masks in line with government advice.
The pallbearers and clergy are not included in the number of attendees.

[Bryn]

Is it? I'm not sure that cathedrals up and down the country are currently setting a bad example with unsafe, complicated choirs.

I was referring to this particular event. What risks cathedral choirmasters up and down the country take is another matter. This Royal Peculiar event appears to be showing greater caution in its planning.

[richardfinegold]

Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Adagio espressivo (Sonata in A minor) – Sir William Harris (1883–1973)
Salix (The Plymouth Suite) – Percy Whitlock (1903–1946)
Berceuse (Op 31 No. 19) – Louis Vierne (1870–1937)
Rhosymedre (Three Preludes funded on Welsh Hymn Tunes) – Ralph Vaughan Williams – (1872–1958)

The Sentences, set to music by English composer William Croft (1678-1727)
Eternal Father, Strong To Save (Melita), by J. B. Dykes (1823-76) and William Whiting (1825-78), arranged by James Vivian (b. 1974)
The Jubilate, Benjamin Britten (1913-76)
Psalm 104. William Lovelady (b. 1945) arr. James Vivian (b. 1974)
The Lesser Litany, William Smith (1603-45), adapted by Roger Judd (b. 1944)
The Lord’s Prayer, Robert Stone (1516-1613) from John Day’s Certaine Notes 1565
Russian Kontakion of the Departed. Translated William John Birkbeck (1859-1916). Kiev Melody, arranged by Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924)
The National Anthem

Prelude and Fugue in C minor BWV 546

Luke Bond (organist)
James Vivian (Director of Music)

The choir will be "three lay clerks plus a soprano". I expect the choristers will be disappointed, knowing how much of a career highlight for them the two weddings in recent years were. Not sure why they couldn't sing as most places seem to have managed it by now.

Had to chuckle at the name of the first piece. I realize that Phillip had his moments, but on these shores the words “Schmuck” and “Dick” have essentially the same meaning...

[Katzelmacher]

Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Adagio espressivo (Sonata in A minor) – Sir William Harris (1883–1973)
Salix (The Plymouth Suite) – Percy Whitlock (1903–1946)
Berceuse (Op 31 No. 19) – Louis Vierne (1870–1937)
Rhosymedre (Three Preludes funded on Welsh Hymn Tunes) – Ralph Vaughan Williams – (1872–1958)

The Sentences, set to music by English composer William Croft (1678-1727)
Eternal Father, Strong To Save (Melita), by J. B. Dykes (1823-76) and William Whiting (1825-78), arranged by James Vivian (b. 1974)
The Jubilate, Benjamin Britten (1913-76)
Psalm 104. William Lovelady (b. 1945) arr. James Vivian (b. 1974)
The Lesser Litany, William Smith (1603-45), adapted by Roger Judd (b. 1944)
The Lord’s Prayer, Robert Stone (1516-1613) from John Day’s Certaine Notes 1565
Russian Kontakion of the Departed. Translated William John Birkbeck (1859-1916). Kiev Melody, arranged by Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924)
The National Anthem

Prelude and Fugue in C minor BWV 546

Luke Bond (organist)
James Vivian (Director of Music)

The choir will be "three lay clerks plus a soprano". I expect the choristers will be disappointed, knowing how much of a career highlight for them the two weddings in recent years were. Not sure why they couldn't sing as most places seem to have managed it by now.

I wonder who made the choices? The DofE apparently commissioned the Britten, though whether he ever knowingly heard it may be a moot point ....

Not an inspiring selection, though I’m not sure the deceased can be blamed for that.

[Simon Biazeck]

The order of service:

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20617869-the-order-of-service-for-the-funeral-of-the-duke-of-edinburgh?fbclid=IwAR3Ur1aVEK1dPO8voMLiKufR0guP7F0ABv_ChW9zgqdn4CfsXZSlKmFhUwI

SBz

[Lordgeous]

Excellent singing. Who was the soprano?

[BasilHarwood]

Excellent singing. Who was the soprano?

Miriam Allen - wife of one of the bass lay clerks.

[Lordgeous]

Miriam Allen - wife of one of the bass lay clerks.

Thanks. I thought it a shame that none of the singers were named (though organist and 'choirmaster' were). I thought the Britten in particular worked well with small forces.

[cat]

They're were wonderful, but I don't think it's ever been the case that members of liturgical choirs are credited for services, only when that choir does recordings and concerts would they be named.

[cloughie]

They're were wonderful, but I don't think it's ever been the case that members of liturgical choirs are credited for services, only when that choir does recordings and concerts would they be named.

I’m sure there is a recording contract out there should they want it! They were really good.