Funeral of Isabel II: two pieces have been composed especially for the occasion

Subject to the attention of cameras around the world this Monday, the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II is also at the origin of an unprecedented musical production. As indicated by Buckingham Palace, two pieces were composed especially for the burial of the British sovereign.

A “calm and determined” environment

The first of these songs is called as the deer, and was composed by Judith Weir. This British composer has held the official position of Master of the King’s Music since 2014, a title that rewards eminent figures in the musical world. The role of this “Master” is to come and compose pieces for the great royal occasions, such as weddings, birthdays or funerals, as is the case this Monday.

The piece composed by Judith Weir is intended for a choir. “For this funeral, Westminster Abbey has asked me to set to music the first seven lines of Psalm 42 ‘As a deer longs for brooks, so my soul longs for you, O God!'” Judith told Wise Music Classical. Weird.

“The lyrics and music first evoke the great sadness of the soul and the need to be reassured by God. But the further the psalm progresses, the more serene and resolute the spirit is, culminating in consolation, with the words: ‘put your trust in God,'” continued the composer.

The second piece composed for the occasion was written by the Scotsman James MacMillan, and is entitled Who will separate us?. The composer said he felt “honored that (his) anthem Who will separate us?ordered for this event, be sung during the ceremony”, broadcast the specialized site Diapason.

A hymn performed at their wedding in 1947.

Apart from these two previously unreleased pieces, the music chosen for the sovereign’s funeral was inspired by her “unwavering Christian faith,” the royal family said. Before the service, Westminster organist Matthew Jorysz performed various pieces by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Johann Sebastian Bach and Edward Elgar.

another anthem, The Lord is My Shepherd, will be sung by the public. A piece loaded with an important symbolic weight. Considered one of the sovereign’s favorite songs, it had already been sung during her marriage to Prince Philip in 1947.