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August 02, 2008
Requiem eternam
Last night the MDS choir provided the background music to our Requiem Mass, the setting by Byrd is sombre and was stunningly performed. An added bonus was the Funeral March by Purcell, performed by the timpany and brass from the West end of the Abbey during the Offertory.
There is something in music which reaches into the soul and this music not only does that, it lifts one out of one's comfort zone and takes you to places you perhaps have not considered visiting within yourself.
For those who may want to follow up and hear this music you need to look for:
Mass in Five Parts - William Byrd 1540 - 1623
Introit - Burial Sentences - William Croft 1678 - 1727
Gradual - In the midst of life we are in death - Henry Purcell 1659 - 1695
Offertory - Funeral music for Queen Mary - Henry Purcell 1659 - 1695
Communion - Thou knowest Lord the secrets - Purcell
Post Communion - I heard a voice from Heaven - Purcell
Send not to ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee (John Donne, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral. A sermon on the death of a friend c 1647)
Posted by The Gray Monk at August 2, 2008 07:53 AM
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