Rare Page

[Peter]

The Funeral March from Leonore Prohaska is available to members on the rare page.
www.kingsbarn.freeserve.co.uk/rare.html

------------------
'Man know thyself'

[Peter]

This orchestral version should be known by every pianist who attempts Op.26. This movement was played in an arrangement for 4 voices and piano accompaniment by Seyfried at Beethoven's own funeral with words by Alois Jeitteles 'In the spring, in the serene still of evening, they bore the coffin out.'
What a marvellous piece this is - I prefer it to the Chopin!

------------------
'Man know thyself'

[Rod]

Originally posted by Peter:

What a marvellous piece this is - I prefer it to the Chopin!

And so you should, it's a better work! Though this recording is far from what I would call first rate. They played a wind arrangement of B's march during the procession in London of the Queen Mother's coffin to Westminster Hall. Very effective it was to, quite stirring (not that I care for the QM). Mind you, the band played a lot of other stuff that was rubbish, but not Chopin's march (perhaps it has become something of a cliche to play this piece these days?).

------------------
"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[Peter]

Originally posted by Rod:
Though this recording is far from what I would call first rate.

I agree about the recording - I find the dotted rhythm is too lax, not taut enough. It needs to be very precise to create the right atmosphere.

------------------
'Man know thyself'

[Joy]

Originally posted by Rod:
Mind you, the band played a lot of other stuff that was rubbish, but not Chopin's march (perhaps it has become something of a cliche to play this piece these days?).

[/B]

They still do play Chopin's Funeral March here in the states when a higher authority dies like a Vice President, President, etc.
It is quite sombre you have to admit. I prefer B's over Chopin's as well.

[This message has been edited by Joy (edited 05-08-2002).]

[Peter]

Originally posted by Joy:
I prefer B's over Chopin's as well.

I think B's has a greater nobility.

------------------
'Man know thyself'

[Chris]

Yes, this is a great piece. I certainly wouldn't mind having such a piece played at my funeral, that's for sure. Although I probably wouldn't care too much at the moment

[Joy]

Originally posted by Peter:
I think B's has a greater nobility.

I think you're right!

[Joy]

Originally posted by Chris:
Yes, this is a great piece. I certainly wouldn't mind having such a piece played at my funeral, that's for sure. Although I probably wouldn't care too much at the moment

Hey, that might be discussion for a new topic, 'music played at funerals, even your own'! But you're right, you probably wouldn't care much at that moment but the people there might take notice!