Purcell - In the midst of life, Z. 17a

No. 2 of the 3 Funeral Sentences. A = 415 Hz
Purcell's three Funeral Sentences were not written for the funeral of Queen Mary in 1695. Following the tradition of the English court, it was pieces by Thomas Morley, originally written for the funeral of Elizabeth I, that were sung there. Purcell's only contribution to the ceremony was the composition of two pieces for slide trumpets (March and Canzona), and the anthem in the archaic style Thou knowest, Lord. During the funeral procession to Westminster Abbey, a band of oboes played two marches written by John Paisible and Thomas Tollet.
Text from the Book of Common Prayer (1662) :
In the midst of life we are in death: of whom
May we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord,
Who for our sins art justly displeased? Yet,
O Lord, most mighty, O holy and most
Merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter
Pains of eternal death.
Performers : Vox Luminis and Lionel Meunier. From the album "Purcell, Morley & Tomkins: English Royal Funeral Music"

[@nellyd9280]

Nice! Thank you for the music sheet it compliments the experience

[@notnek202]

Hope they play this at Queen Elisabeth II funeral.

[@enis.atallah]

This piece is a true perfection

[@Delmonaco1969]

In the midst of life we are in death: of whom May we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, Who for our sins art justly displeased? Yet, O Lord, most mighty, O holy and most Merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter Pains of eternal death.

[@bigl5343]

Purcell is perhaps the greatest English composer in their history.

[@paulsmith5752]

I agree - the only possible rivals are Byrd, Gibbons and Britten. Purcell's death at 36 was a tragedy equalled only by poor Young Tom Linley, who died at 22, and possibly Pelham Humphreys, Purcell's contemporary, who died at 27.

[@Ivan_1791]

0:15 What the hell was that? A really strong harmonic?

[@VexaS1n]

I don't hear anything wrong with that, the harmonic likely was created by the acoustics of the place

[@xemy1010]

Purcell is utterly unique. It's hard to put into words. At moments it feels like I'm discovering music for the first time, which took me completely off-guard. I was expecting another Palestrina, Byrd... this is something else altogether.

[@missasinenomine]

Chromatic? Discordant? The bitter pains of eternal death.

[@bigl5343]

Check out John Tavener, an English 16th century composer that wrote exceptional mass music. Make sure not to confuse him with a 20th century English composer, John Tavernor.

[@klop4228]

He's technically Baroque, but a lot of his music is pretty Renaissance for the Baroque. But it's pretty Baroque for the Renaissance, too!

[@johnfox7985]

@@bigl5343 You have it the wrong way round, sir. 16th century composer was John Taverner. Tavener is the 20th/21st century fella!

[@efratgerlich8382]

Wow! Just amazing!

[@treystephens6166]

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