Music for Memorials
"It is a sobering thought that when Mozart was my age, he had already been dead for a year". - Tom Lehrer.
Some of us may want to be mourned with tears, some of us may want to be cheered with laughter. But, let's face it, none of us want to be forgotten. So, when the time comes, why not set the soundtrack to your send-off? Whether it's loud and light, bright and beautiful or even sad and sombre, our neatly indexed choices should provide something suitable for everybody.
Relatively Solemn
Dido's Lament : Purcell (from Dido and Aeneas)
A beautiful song sung by Dido as she mourns her lost love.
Nimrod : Elgar (from the Enigma Variations)
This well-known tune is both distinguished and stately.
Adagio : Barber
A poignant tune that's often been used at times of national disaster.
Adagietto : Mahler (from Symphony No.5)
Beautifully rich and indulgent.
Song for Athene : Tavener
This piece became particularly well known after being used at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Ave Verum Corpus : Mozart
Aptly written in the last year of Mozart's life and just sumptuous.
It's worth checking that the choir can handle it - not difficult but needs care and attention due to the pace, more than anything.
Fond Farewells
A Farewell to Stromness : Maxwell Davies
The Ashokan Farewell : Jay Ungar
Vissi d'arte : Puccini (from Tosca)
The Lark Ascending : Vaughan Williams
The Requiems
Faure's
By far the most famous and rightly so. No more perfect a send-off.
Mozart's
Serious and a little dark. Would suit a very gothic church.
Verdi's
Very good for a grand send-off.
Durufle's
An underrated gem.
Rutter's
A modern masterpiece.
Jenkins'
Ditto - a modern masterpiece.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's
One of the best known among non-classical music fans.
