Choir of four whose voices rang out from the socially distant nave
JUST four voices filled St George’s Chapel yesterday with music carefully chosen by the Duke of Edinburgh.
Three lay clerks of St George’s Chapel Choir – singers who are not members of the clergy – were joined by classical soprano Miriam Allan to perform the programme, which included the seafaring hymn Eternal Father, Strong To Save.
Australian-born Ms Allan has appeared as a soloist with orchestras all over the world and is married to another of the Chapel’s lay clerks, Richard Bannan.
Her husband is in no doubt about where the family’s talents lie, saying in 2018: ‘It’s humbling. Things many of us find difficult to do, she can do without blinking.
‘She can operate at such a high level and answer a call on weeks or days’ notice to do a job I’d be stressed about for months and months.’
In her spare time Ms Allan volunteers at the Breastfeeding Network which helps struggling new mothers.
Singing alongside her in the quartet, which performed away from the congregation in the Nave, were New Zealand-born tenor Nicholas Madden, alto Tom Lilburn and bass Simon Whiteley, all of whom l i ve within the castle walls. They are also all members of the Queen’s Six, a classical musical group established in 2008 on the 450th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth I.
At the moment, Covid restrictions prohibit congregational singing in places of worship.
The Duke was said to have been the guiding force behind many of the musical choices – played both before and during the service – and picked a wide range from Johann Sebastian Bach to Ralph Vaughan Williams.
The funeral also featured two pieces of music he commissioned from celebrated composers. The Jubilate in C was written by Benjamin Britten at the Duke’s request in the early 1960s and has gone on to become a staple i n cathedrals and churches across the country. Funeral guests also heard the choir sing Psalm 104, which was set to music by guitarist and composer William Lovelady at Philip’s request.
Composed as a cantata in three movements, it was first sung in honour of the Duke’s 75th birthday in 1996.
While yesterday’s music was understandably more sombre in tone, the choir are not averse to covering more modern or upbeat music.
Mr Whiteley, who is a fan of rock band Nirvana, once suggested they might even perform the band’s grunge hit ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ in front of the Queen.
The pared-down choir were conducted by James Vivian, the director of music at St George’s Chapel.