Baroness Thatcher's funeral, St. Paul's, 17 April 2013

[Flosshilde]

Final part of Beethoven's 9th symphony?

[Julien Sorel]

I would suggest Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem - appropriate in every respect, and probably counting as "great Music" by the sort of person who regards her as a "great stateswoman".

Now this thread is degenerating with insults and stereotypes too.

Andrew Lloyd Webber would be quite appropriate, though:

British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has written an original [no comments, please] piece of theme music for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's re-election campaign, her Conservative Party said Wednesday ... "We wanted an uplifting piece of forward looking music," said party chief of staff Michael Dobbs. "He has done an excellent job. It's very catchy indeed."

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1370&dat=19870522&id=xqEVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZwsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4138,1651993

(He did the same for John Major in 1992; that might not be so good, but the style obviously appeals in Conservative Party circles.)

[MrGongGong]

British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has written an original [no comments, please] piece of theme music for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's re-election campaign, her Conservative Party said Wednesday ... "We wanted an uplifting piece of forward looking music," said party chief of staff Michael Dobbs. "He has done an excellent job. It's very catchy indeed."

Perfect ............ "Forward looking"
is that "Catchy" like Norovirus ?

[EdgeleyRob]

Final part of Beethoven's 9th symphony?

Perfect.

[Barbirollians]

I don't see much wrong with her choosing Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto ! Indeed , my opinion of her has just gone up a notch .

[Mr Pee]

How about "Go Forth upon thy Journey", from the Dream of Gerontius? She enjoyed Elgar's music, and though I'm no fan of bleeding chunks, I think that would be highly appropriate.

And I think the slow movement from the Emperor concerto would suit the service as well.

[BBMmk2]

There's Elgar's Sospiri to and Sursum Corda. Byrd's Ave Verum(but I expect thet have that Mozart one!!

[Julien Sorel]

I don't see much wrong with her choosing Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto ! Indeed , my opinion of her has just gone up a notch .

That's very strange because I remember hearing the end of that Desert Island Discs and I was absolutely sure she'd chosen as her 1 disc the prisoners' chorus from Fidelio on the basis that it expressed the universal human desire for freedom, democracy etc. And that I'd got hot under the collar about it . Weird how memory plays tricks.

[Miles Coverdale]

Byrd's Ave Verum (but I expect they have that Mozart one!!

Would any setting of Ave verum really be the thing for a funeral?

[Frances_iom]

How about "Go Forth upon thy Journey", from the Dream of Gerontius?..

"Take me away, and in the lowest deep,
There let me be,
And there in hope the lone night-watches keep,
Told out for me.

Must admit this part always affects me but suspect something less reflective will be chosen

[VodkaDilc]

Would any setting of Ave verum really be the thing for a funeral?

Why not?

It was certainly sung at the funeral of a dear friend with very eminent CofE connections. I thought it fitted well.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

No mention of a certain Parry piece yet...

[Bryn]

If recordings are allowed, perhaps something from:

[DracoM]

There's an unconfirmed rumour going round that the trebles in the choir will be those from St Thomas' Fifth Avenue NY. I'm a little surprised if so (WA was able to recall all but one of its choristers for Diana).

Presumably the ceremony will be broadcast. (I'd rather this thread weren't taken over by arguments about MT's political achievements and legacy, but focused on the music).

The rumour of the attendance of St Thomas Fifth Ave Choir at the funeral is absolutely baseless. I have this from an unimpeachable source.

[Miles Coverdale]

Why not?

It was certainly sung at the funeral of a dear friend with very eminent CofE connections. I thought it fitted well.

Perhaps because it's a communion motet?