The
choice of music for a funeral is one of the most important aspects of
the ceremony. The music, whether modern or classical, should ideally be
in keeping with the taste of the person who has died, whilst also
providing comfort to the bereaved. We can offer help,
advice and suggestions for music of all kinds.
Some families like to use a recording, but many prefer to hear the music
performed live. If you engage some musicians for the ceremony, they will
not only be able to perform the music you have chosen, but will also be
able to lead the hymn singing, if it is to be a religious ceremony - few
of us feel inspired to sing at the funeral of a friend or relative.
Even a very small choir – of just four voices – will make an enormous
difference to any funeral. At
Albins we are
able to arrange first-class choirs, with singers taken from a pool of
professional musicians from
London’s top cathedrals and churches, including St Paul’s Cathedral and
Westminster Abbey, and accompanied by organists of a similar calibre.
All are sensitive and discreet, providing immaculate music-making in a
gentle and understated manner.
We can also supply harpists, trumpeters, Irish and Scottish pipers,
other solo instrumentalists (such as flautists, violinists etc), brass,
wind and string ensembles (such as funeral trumpets and muffled drums,
string quartets etc) and even marching jazz bands.
For further information please call you arranger, or if you prefer you
can contact our own David Guest directly on 07830 386875
These are some examples of music that can be used:
Hymns
* Abide with me
*Dear Lord and Father of
mankind
* Make me a channel of your peace
* Lead us, heavenly Father,
lead us
* The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want
* Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
* Thine be the glory, risen
conquering son
Religious
* Nunc dimittis (Lord, now
lettest thou thy servant depart ) – T Tallis
* Soave sia il vento (The Farewell Trio), from Cosi fan tutte – WA
Mozart
* Thou knowest, Lord, from Funeral music for Queen Mary (1695) – H
Purcell
* Ave Maria – R Parsons or F Schubert
* Panis angelicus – C Franck
Modern
* You raise me up – Josh Groban
* The wind beneath my wings – Bette Midler
* We’ll meet again – Vera Lynn
* Over the rainbow – Eva Cassidy
* Candle in the wind - Elton John
* Con te partiro (Time to say goodbye) – Andrea Bocelli
* Nella fantasia (Gabriel’s Oboe) – Ennio Morricone
* No matter what – Boyzone
Classical
* Going home (Theme from New World Symphony) – A
Dvorak
* Nessun dorma, from Turandot – G Puccini
* O mio babbino caro, from Gianni Schicchi – G Puccini
* Va pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves), from Nabucco – G Verdi
* Danny boy – traditional Irish
* When I am laid in earth –
H Purcell
The
choice of music for a funeral is one of the most important aspects of
the ceremony. The music, whether modern or classical, should ideally be
in keeping with the taste of the person who has died, whilst also
providing comfort to the bereaved. We can offer help,
advice and suggestions for music of all kinds.
Albins we are
able to arrange first-class choirs, with singers taken from a pool of
professional musicians from
London’s top cathedrals and churches, including St Paul’s Cathedral and
Westminster Abbey, and accompanied by organists of a similar calibre.
All are sensitive and discreet, providing immaculate music-making in a
gentle and understated manner.