Funerals and autocrats

Well it does to the people who post here... dispassionate and reasoned debate, with a good deal of humour thrown in for good measure.

Moderators: Dom Perignon, Casimir

dmu3tem
Posts: 254
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2005 3:11 pm
Location: Frozen North

Re: Funerals and autocrats

Post by dmu3tem »

I expect most people know that the Londonderry Air has been applied to two hymn texts: 'I Cannot Tell' and 'Lord of the Church'. Offhand I think they can be found in Mission Praise. The former would certainly justify its performance at a funeral. In any case I think the tune is pretty good, not least because of the way it lends itself to highly effective and emotional harmonisation.
T.E.Muir
alan29
Posts: 1239
Joined: Fri May 27, 2005 8:04 pm
Location: Wirral

Re: Funerals and autocrats

Post by alan29 »

However it does have a massive range and that open invitation to a drunken rising glissando.
Experience teaches me to transpose most things down for funerals unless there is a large crowd familiar with the hymns..... Slane in D, anyone?
Keraulophon
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:22 pm
Parish / Diocese: Southwark - Kent

Re: Funerals and autocrats

Post by Keraulophon »

With yet more relevance to funerals, a version of the Song of Farewell is sung to the Londonderry Air.
organist
Posts: 574
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:39 pm
Parish / Diocese: Westminster cathedral
Location: London
Contact:

Re: Funerals and autocrats

Post by organist »

To return to the original post it was When I am laid in earth of Purcell but barely recognisable - too slow and very wooden. Also Ave verum of Mozart. I played for a memorial service on Tuesday. Really odd as the deceased was a lovely lady who had been pastoral assistant (C of E). The body was brought into the church on Monday, cremated Tuesday morning and memorial service Tuesday afternoon. Our small choir was augmented by a neighbouring church choir. Unfortunately they did not know Ogden's Christ has no body (the deceased's favourite anthem) so I played it before the service. We did sing Rutter A Clare benediction and Shera's Nunc dimittis and it all went well. 3 good hymns too. I finished with I know that my redeemer liveth. It is important to strike an Easter note! :D
Post Reply