Funeral Repertoire

[makala]

Hi

Sorry for such a sombre topic. I have a friend whose grandparents have both just died, and I have offered to play at their funeral. They aren't religious people, so the whole hymn thing kind of goes out the window, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on a nice song to play - I'm probably at intermediate level, I've been playing for about 12 years on and off, but have hardly touched the piano in the last two years.

Something beautiful I suppose, nothing too bright and cheerful but nothing down in the dumps either - any help would be great. Also consider I only have about 4 days to learn it!

[donjuan]

whatever you do, DO NOT play Chopin's funeral march from the 2nd sonata.  It would be sooo nauseating..

How much time do you have to learn a new piece?

[makala]

well today is sunday, and at the moment i think i have till friday
but i have two uni exams in the middle!
so a couple of days, probably 4

[brahmsian]

Chopin Prelude Op. 28 No.4

If I'm not mistaken, I believe it was played at Chopin's funeral

[donjuan]

well today is sunday, and at the moment i think i have till friday
but i have two uni exams in the middle!
so a couple of days, probably 4

I definitely know where you are coming from with those uni exams.. tough balancing act, thats what it is.

Well, what can you already play?  If I were you, I wouldnt have agreed to learn a piece of music in 4 days!   

Yeah, Chopin's prelude is a great idea..  Just sightread through it a few times and you will have most of it memorized. 

Since you have been playing for 12 years on and off, maybe you could "dust off" a piece from the past. 

If I were you, I dont think I could have a piece ready for performance by then, but I wish you the best of luck anyways.  Funerals are rough probably because everyone is in a pretty rotten mood.

[mikey6]

the Schubert Gb  impromptu would be good, it's not difficult (unless you plan to master it!)

[superstition2]

Debussy, clair de lune ("Moonlight")

Satie, Gymnopedie No. 1

Mendelssohn, songs without words No. 12 in F# minor

[makala]

thanks guys
dusting off a piece sounds like a good idea
i just sightread through the chopin prelude and i could do that
and i can already play satie's gymnopedie and i found the music for song without words hidden in my piano stool, and i've played that somewhere along the line as well.
seems i had more to choose from than i thought!
and besides, i don't think people will really be worrying whether my playing is up to scratch as long as i hit the right notes - more important things to think about.
thanks for all your help!

[Kassaa]

Chopin also wrote an other Funeral March, I think it's Opus 72, it's in C minor. It isn't too difficult I think.

[kriskicksass]

Also the b minor prelude (No. 6?) is also good for funerals. I'm pretty sure that this was played at Chopin's funeral too, along with the e minor prelude and the funeral march from Sonata No. 2.

[quantum]

Scriabin Funeral March (last movement) from his Sonata No.1.  It probably isn't too difficult to learn. 

[superstition2]

Scriabin Funeral March (last movement) from his Sonata No.1.  It probably isn't too difficult to learn.

I think this and pieces like Chopin's E minor prelude aren't ideal. It's one thing to be wistful, maybe a little sad, and another thing to be morose. The three I chose are not morose, but they have a sad longing/wistfulness. Plus, the gymnopedie and clair de lune have serenity and hope, which is important for a funeral. The Chopin E minor might work at the beginning of a program, but not toward the end. I'd stay away from it, though.

[quantum]

I think this and pieces like Chopin's E minor prelude aren't ideal. It's one thing to be wistful, maybe a little sad, and another thing to be morose. The three I chose are not morose, but they have a sad longing/wistfulness. Plus, the gymnopedie and clair de lune have serenity and hope, which is important for a funeral. The Chopin E minor might work at the beginning of a program, but not toward the end. I'd stay away from it, though.

Then again it depends on personal taste, the family, and the deceased. 

Personally I would like to hear such a sad and mournful piece.  The 2nd movement from Beethoven's Op. 10/3 is also very deep, introspective, and mournful.  That matched with another highly uplifting and hopeful piece such as a selection from Messiaen's Vingt Regards (possibly #10). 

Brahms Op. 118/5, 118/6.  The first is a comforting mellody with hymn like character and a playful middle section.  The second is a piece of longing and sadness with a middle section suggesting nobility, stature and strong will. 

Chopin  Sonata No.3, Mvt 3.  An outer melody of great beauty, with an inner section that reminds me of a country scene of a gentle flowing river. 

[rafant]

It's a farewell, so I'd choose pieces within that mood:

Brahms: Romanze Op 118, No. 5 & Op 119, No. 1.
Chopin: Waltz A-Flat Op 69, No. 1 (L'Adieu)
Chopin: Prelude Op 28, No. 20, ( No 4 is better used to win the heart of a girl, I think)
Mendelssohn: Song without words: Op 62, No. 2 (The Departure) and Op 85, No. 2 (The Adieu)
Grieg: Lyrics Pieces: Op. 71, No 6: Gone
Schumann: Forest Scenes: Abschied, Op 82, No 9

[Kassaa]

Liszt Totentanz piano solo version, Danse Macabre, just to play something different  than the regular music.

[BoliverAllmon]

I still say hymns would be a good choice. Death brings religion to the surface.

[pianistimo]

that's very unusual to have both grandparents die at the same time.  wonder what music they both liked?  since a funeral is basically to comfort the mourners and celebrate the lives of the deceased - why not play music that they liked.  if they square-danced - play that kind of music.  whatever makes people remember them at their happiest - and go away from the funeral sad and happy at the same time.  i dont' like funerals that are sad and sadder.  besides - you don't want to start crying while you play (especially if you didn't know them personally).

i was enlighted by my husband's father's funeral.  in my past experience it was sad and sadder. but this funeral was a PARTY during and afterwards.  i never heard of that.  maybe not a party during the service - but people weren't sabotaged by unrealistic ideas that people will never die.  they just made a point that he lived a good long life and all the good things that he was and did.  then, they went downstairs and had a huge bash.   

[donjuan]

Liszt Totentanz piano solo version, Danse Macabre, just to play something different  than the regular music.

hahahahahahahahaha!!!!
oh man, that would be the worst music to play at a funeral!  These pieces say "Welcome to hell, punk!!!!!" ohh man that is so good!  Thanks kassaa, you made my day!

[ryguillian]

The fifteenth Goldberg Variation.

—Ryan

[makala]

wow. thanks guys - so many suggestions!
i'm going to see them this afternoon, and i think they may actually want something popular now, i think perhaps 'unforgettable' or a frank sinatra tune.
thanks for all your help, you've been great.

[gorbee natcase]

I consider chopins funeral march in very bad taste for a funeral as its been ripped appart in so many horror films and warner cartoon, I think its the warner cartoons

[rafant]

Let me to withdraw the Mendelssohn's pieces suggested above, I listened to them last night and the music has nothing to do with farewells. They were called so by some confused editor. Better choice would be the Field's Nocturne in E Minor, a two page piece, calm, few notes, easy to learn in short time, and not indeed a love piece as one would suppose.

And some sacred music would be good too. If the attending people is not religious, they won't notice the difference.

[Kassaa]

I consider chopins funeral march in very bad taste for a funeral as its been ripped appart in so many horror films and warner cartoon, I think its the warner cartoons

But the other one, the C minor one isn't.