Funeral help

[jvhldb]

I got roped into playing for a funeral on Wednesday. Any advice on what to do, not to do? Both the regular organists are out of town this week, so I can't ask them for help.

Is there any music that I can play before the service (something EASY that can be learned in less than 24 hours)?

[methodistgirl]

All I can say is to play something soft but don't put them to sleep.
judy tooley

[greatcyber]

Perhaps JSB's "Air on a G String" might be appropriate. It's pretty easy.

Stephen

[jvhldb]

All I can say is to play something soft but don't put them to sleep.
judy tooley

Putting them to sleep is my biggest worry.

[Contratrombone64]

Soothing music is a must I think.

[Krummhorn]

Weird as it may sound, but a funeral can also be a time for rejoicing. This, in some ways, is the celebration of being born into Eternal Life in some religions - Ok, Flight of the Bumblebee would be quite inappropriate (unless specifically requested), but everything does not have to be in a minor key and played so painfully slow - That will put people to sleep.

Handel's Water Music Suite for Organ works well, as does the Pachelbel Canon in D. Jesu, Joy of Mans' Desiring, hymns like Beautiful Saviour, Rock of Ages, What a Friend, Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, (etc)are all ones that I use at funerals here. Of course, I do my own improvs of each of those hymns during which I will employ elaborate key changes and registration changes. And I don't limit my funeral prelude to just the softest flues either - I open it up and let 'er rip a few times too - nothing sacreligious about that whatsoever.

Soothing music works too ... but for me, it's too Funeral Parlor"ish" ... and depressing.

[Contratrombone64]

Ride of the Valkyries ... ?

[Krummhorn]

OMG, never thought of that one ... that would be great, especially out here in this quasi western town ... .

[jvhldb]

Thanks for the advice, I don't like "dead" funerals either. When I go to church later to practice I'll see if I can blow the dust of the benches, even if the bereaved don't like it at least I won't fall asleep at the organ. I just hope I can get the sugested music on the internet as we don't have any music shop in town and I have less than 24 hours to practice

[Corno Dolce]

Ride Of The Valkyries? Like This?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG-B0J3U89M

[contraophicleide32]

A very nice piece you can play also.. is "Adagio in G minor" of Tommaso Albinoni! I had played it sometimes in funerals..It's a great soft piece: you can play chords with left hand, and the solo line (originally destined to a "flauto traverso") with a Orchestral Oboe on the swell or with a sweet soft labial stop!!!

Manuel

[musicalis]

Hello

I have composed 7 pieces for funerals. May be one can suit you ?
http://organ.monespace.net/pages/16.html

[Krummhorn]

Thanks for the advice, I don't like "dead" funerals either. When I go to church later to practice I'll see if I can blow the dust of the benches, even if the bereaved don't like it at least I won't fall asleep at the organ. I just hope I can get the sugested music on the internet as we don't have any music shop in town and I have less than 24 hours to practice

Hi Johan,

Another resource for music is the recently re-opened IMSLP site that has scads of PD scores for the taking.

*PD = Public Domain

[jvhldb]

Ride Of The Valkyries? Like This?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG-B0J3U89M

Yikes, I have less than 24 HOURS not 24 years!!

[jvhldb]

Hello

I have composed 7 pieces for funerals. May be one can suit you ?

http://organ.monespace.net/pages/16.html

Thanks Jean-Paul, I've been trying to learn "Come into my house" since last night, but I don't think I'm going to get it in time.