Calling all Classical Music Lovers - I need your help please.

[ladybirder]

Some very dear young friends of mine have lost their fifth child (at 17 weeks) and will be holding a short secular service for him at the hospital. They have decided they would like two pieces of classical music played during the service, probably of no more than 4-5 minutes each. The choice is left to him and as he is a bit of a novice where classical is concerned and is only just learning to appreciate it, he has asked me to send him some suitable pieces he can choose from. We have discussed it and decided on a piece for cello and the other for piano but if there is anything else I think he might like I can include it. For instance I think Schubert's Serenade is uplifting and will probably include that on my shortlist. They are adamant they don't want any vocals. The obvious cello piece would be J du Pre/Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor Opus 85 but is it suitable? I suggested one of Chopin's Nocturnes but he said that he loved it BUT it was in the Silence of the Lambs. Eek, I didn't know.
So ABers, any suggestions that would fit this sad occasion would be most welcome; I haven't got long to decide. Thank you.

[joggerjayne]

Well, I'd say the Intermezzo music from Cavalleria Rusticana.

You'll know it. Hang on ... I'll try to get a link ...

[VHG]

Also how about Elgar's Nimrod for piano

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-mOclTPG_s

[Ellipsis]

> The obvious cello piece would be J du Pre/Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor Opus 85 but is it suitable?

One of my favourite pieces, but I think not suitable.

[joggerjayne]

[VHG]

Or even Nimrod on the organ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMLYRT_I0Bo

[joggerjayne]

I agree ... Elgar not really suitable.

[mazie]

I love this...Sorry for their loss ladybirder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfN8j9r-jGQ&feature=related

[joggerjayne]

Intermezzo is calm, peaceful, reflective, moving, beautiful, and well known (from 1:35 onwards)

[joggerjayne]

As their child was so young, what about a piece from Peter and the Wolf, or the Carnival of the Animals, or some other classical piece written specifically for children?

[joggerjayne]

[Ellipsis]

From the CD I posted earlier ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGbdhUf4mjk

[VHG]

Solo pieces for piano or cello may be too stark (even though I know it is a funeral for a child)

How about a beautiful piece for strings by Elgar called Sospiri. Only 4 minutes and achingly lovely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_JvCKBRpFA

[ladybirder]

Already got Nimrod thanks VHG.

I know Intermezzo well JJ (opera's more my thing) thank you. A possibility I think.

The Ravel Pavane, another possibility thank you VHG.

Ellipsis thank you, how kind. I will need to go and find that on YTube and have a listen.

Annemolie definitely putting the Chopin on the list, I remember my father playing that at home when I was little. Thank you.

Thank you Marval, possibly your 2nd one but the first might not be what they were looking for - I'm thinking the secular thing.

Yo-Yo-Ma good choice em, I was listening to him earlier today. Brilliant.

You're all wonderful and I apologise if I've missed anyone out.

[whiskeryron]

Adagio For Strings. Samuel Barber.

WR.

[ladybirder]

Intermezzo makes me fill up at the best of times but listening to it in terms of their loss JJ, it's overwhelming. But perfect. People will identify with it as surely everybody, classical music lover or not, will have heard of it. It's defo on the list. Thank you.

[emmie]

i have no idea why but i cannot see any of the youtube links. Haven't had any more thoughts, but the Elgar is a stunning piece. I would go with Yo Yo Ma and the Bach prelude, quite beautiful. Tough choices, and a very sad reason to pick such sublime music.

[seadogg]

Some wonderful music chosen for you ladybirder. For me, just about any 2nd. movement from a Mozart Piano Concerto from numbers 19 to 25 would be wonderful. My favourite is Shostakovich 2nd Piano Concerto, second movement is the ultimate but it is heartbreaking music in the circumstances.

[emmie]

apologies but if anyone can look out for my last question, then might go some way to solve why i can't open, link clips

[joggerjayne]

I've just had to wipe tears off my cheek, LB, and I'm only sitting here with my lappy. They would have to hand out lots of tissues.

[ladybirder]

Em what a shame, have you tried them in a different browser?

JJ if I told you the whole story you would be in bits and the awful thing is they are not alone, it is not uncommon, they have been told.