I've promised to make a CD or two of classical and instrumental music to be played at a funeral, but this isn't really my field of interest, so I wonder if you could give me some recommendations? The music should be solemn but preferably not too corny, and not too weird so the elderly won't freak out. Classical music with vocals, like opera, is okay too I guess, as long as it isn't too melodramatic or otherwise inappropriate.
― Tuomas, Friday, 4 April 2008 06:34 (seventeen years ago)
The Meters "Look-a-py-py"
― Oilyrags, Friday, 4 April 2008 15:42 (seventeen years ago)
well thats just not nice is it
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Friday, 4 April 2008 15:48 (seventeen years ago)
frankenstein
― Hurting 2, Friday, 4 April 2008 15:50 (seventeen years ago)
just a closer walk with thee, i'll fly away, etc.
― Jordan, Friday, 4 April 2008 15:52 (seventeen years ago)
SERIOUS ANSWERS:
Barber "Adagio For Strings"/"Angus Dei" (same music, one is strings and the other is voices) Martin "Mass for Double Chorus" (specifically the "Agnus Dei" movement) Pärt "Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten" Howells "Requiem" (esp Psalm 23) Thompson "Alleluia" Lauridsen "O Magnum Mysterium" Bernstein "Chichester Psalms" Movement III Purcell "Hear My Prayer O Lord" Tallis "Lamentations of Jeremiah"
― HI DERE, Friday, 4 April 2008 15:57 (seventeen years ago)
Thanks Dan, I'll check those out.
― Tuomas, Friday, 4 April 2008 15:57 (seventeen years ago)
Beethoven String Quartet No. 14 in C#m http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vowyz8A7rSE
― St3ve Go1db3rg, Friday, 4 April 2008 16:13 (seventeen years ago)
Pärt's "De Profundis" is also a good choice.
― HI DERE, Friday, 4 April 2008 16:15 (seventeen years ago)
Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyrie"
― Noodle Vague, Friday, 4 April 2008 16:17 (seventeen years ago)
Here's another late Beethoven quartet movement you might like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN3HzEWQl0c&feature=related
― St3ve Go1db3rg, Friday, 4 April 2008 16:20 (seventeen years ago)
mine was serious
― Jordan, Friday, 4 April 2008 16:28 (seventeen years ago)
Lauridsen "O Magnum Mysterium" -- I had to sing this in high school. Never would have remembered.
― roxymuzak, Friday, 4 April 2008 16:46 (seventeen years ago)
Jordan, you were an unfortunate xpost while I was typing my list.
― HI DERE, Friday, 4 April 2008 16:48 (seventeen years ago)
Purcells Dido's lament might be slightly too melodramatic, but check it out, the message (remember me, but forget my fate) is appropriate.
― Sandy Blair, Friday, 4 April 2008 17:46 (seventeen years ago)
Georges Delerue - "Camille's Theme" (from Godard's movie Contempt originally, but it's perfect)
― Joe, Friday, 4 April 2008 17:49 (seventeen years ago)
Ohzawa - Piano Concerto No. 3 ("The Kamikaze"), Second Movement
- You could download it off of iTunes. May require some fading/editing; the middle section might not be appropriate, but the main melody in the beginning and the end of the piece is one of the most beautifully sad I've heard in a while and perfect for a funeral. And "Kamikaze" means 'divine wind' which makes it an apropos choice.
― Joe, Friday, 4 April 2008 17:55 (seventeen years ago)
Zbigniew Preisner's Requiem for my Friend.
Have a listen.
[That is the 8th Movement of the Requiem.]
― Lostandfound, Friday, 4 April 2008 23:16 (seventeen years ago)
The Adagietto from Mahler's Fifth Symphony (Bernstein conduct this at JFK's funeral IIRC) — might verge on the melodramatic though.
― eatandoph, Saturday, 5 April 2008 00:09 (seventeen years ago)