My Funeral

Funeral


Music plays a huge role in my life, and will too in my death. At first it seemed to difficult a task to sum up my life in thirty minutes of music. What emerged as the final playlist was a compilation of pieces important to me as both a listener and performer. I don’t feel it gives a narrative of my life or a comprehensive summation of my personality, but more a personal representation of the importance of music as a source of comfort and expression.
The first piece I chose was the fifth movement from Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil. Rachmaninoff asked that this movement be played at his funeral, and though make no claims to be on par with such a great master, I still wanted to include it. The passion of Russian choral music are so moving and in the beauty I canot help but feel an uplifting and comforting tone. I am not religious at all, and I have no idea what they are singing about, but the feeling in the music is clear. The next two pieces are both solo piano works. The first, Intermezzo no. 2 from opus 118 by Brahms, was the first piece I have played on piano through which I felt I could truly express myself. I never get tired of either listening to it or playing it, and it is so full of love. The second, Etude no. 3 from Op 10 by Chopin, always makes me feel better when I’m sad. The melody has always touched me; it has that inexpressable tenderness that makes music so amazing.
The next piece is a simple Irish folk tune arranged for trumpet and wind ensemble called “’Tis the Last Rose of Summer” (paticularly fitting considering my middle name). In my biased opinion, there is nothing more gorgeous than a soulfully played trumpet. This short piece has so much simple beauty and a sentimental quality without sorrow, both very appropriate for a funeral.
As much as I love classical music, I have always thought that jazz musicians can express themselves on perhaps not deeper, but more intimate level. The performer has so much freedom that it becomes their piece far more than the composer’s. In a self-indulgent action, I decided the standard “Emily” would be perfect. I always felt so special whenever someone played it for me, and I suppose this would be the last time it would happen.
My last choice of song sticks out from the rest. I honestly have no idea who the band is, or what else they have done, but The New Radical’s “You Get What You Give” is the song I listen to whenever I feel like giving up. I might be interpreting it incorrectly, but I think it says that this world is hard, but youhave to keep fightint. You always have a reason to pursue your dreams because “you have the music in you.” I’d like to think I have the music in me.
My funeral should not truly be about me; I’ll be dead, I won’t care. It should be a chance for those who want to mourn my passing or celebrate my life to be able to do so, and find comfort or solace for their grief. Music more than anything had the power to do that, and I tried to choose pieces that would accomplish this goal.