Funeral Sentences/Burial Service by William Croft

William Croft (baptized 30 December 1678 -- 14 August 1727) was an English composer and organist.
Croft was born at the Manor House, Nether Ettington, Warwickshire. He was educated at the Chapel Royal, under the instruction of John Blow, and remained there until 1698. Two years after this departure, he became organist of St. Anne's Church, Soho. In 1707, he took over the Chapel Royal's "Master of the Children" post, which had been left vacant by the suicide of Jeremiah Clarke (one of Croft's pupils in this capacity was Maurice Greene). The following year, Croft succeeded Blow (who had lately died) as organist of Westminster Abbey. He composed works for the funeral of Queen Anne (1714) and for the coronation of King George I (1715).
In 1724, Croft published Musica Sacra, a collection of church music, the first such collection to be printed in the form of a score. It contains a Burial Service, which may have been written for Queen Anne or for the Duke of Marlborough;[1] it has been used at state funerals in the United Kingdom ever since. Shortly afterwards his health deteriorated, and he died while visiting Bath.

[@Francis1930]

We were very fortunate to have this sung at my Father's funeral last year on 21st June 2011. He wanted a Traditional Anglican funeral and burial service and I made sure he got one. God rest his soul.

[@sormcmxcix]

Same for my father in January 2023

[@erie910]

There is to be a Psalm chanted between two movements, usually Psalm 130. This is a stunning masterpiece.

[@hiroshi2020]

This is absolutely beautiful! If only this majesty were heard at ever funeral, instead of the nonsense like "On Eagles Wings" or "Clap your hands" etc...

[@mortalclown3812]

No sense being critical of others' choices. Yes, Croft would be perfect for a hundred ways, but to each their own. Selah.

[@madamedellaporte4214]

@@mortalclown3812 I'm with Cameron. The choices of people simply reflect the state of a civilisation.

[@Sparky-ov1ot]

@@mortalclown3812 What says the scriptures on the matter? Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

[@michaelkingsbury4305]

Funerals are not for the dead but for the living. The Sentences are an instruction on how to meet the end we all have to face. It is wise to reflect upon them, with those who will soon pass our life, and to remember our destination. Not Death but Eternity, not in this world but the greater one we can scarcely imagine, where we have always lived. This is just beginning of a life beyond our possibility of knowing.

[@barryburkhill9400]

If I am not mistaken this is the recording of Pricess Diana's Funeral as the coffin entered the West door of Westminster Abbey. The choir is directed by Martin Neary with the finest possible interpretation of dynamics and words fitting the music. Beautifully done with dignity and love.

[@williamr5371]

Barry Burkhill correct I have the CD of songs

[@johnholmes912]

I remember Mr neary from his time at winchester

[@stpetric]

Sublime. One of the great components of the Anglican Patrimony in church music.

[@weepianoman]

It is a beautiful piece. It was played Baroness Thatchers's funeral. This is what brought me here. A choral masterpiece. RIP.

[@TheButlerSpeaks]

I heard this wonderful piece of music sung at a funeral earlier this week. It is absolutely incredible and the full choir in the church made everyone melt and want to pray . This is a must for any formal funeral and I hope to be honoured with this at my funeral when God calls upon me.

[@johnholmes912]

try the Tomkins and the Purcell settings ; equally glorious

[@michaelkingsbury4305]

Me too, for the benefit of the seekers who may be present. Great meditation for the living.

[@TheBritannicRoyalist]

Said or sung, take this to heart. Death has no power, eternal life to those whom God loves. Praise, worship and thanksgiving to the king of kings, lord of lords, the Holy and Eternal Trinity.

[@Londonfogey]

Indeed...a few years ago I had the sad duty of dispersing the ashes of a family member. There was no Anglican clergy available (I was abroad) so I read out the service myself from the Prayer Book while doing it. I found it of great comfort as I would have had no idea what to say myself otherwise.

[@DavidBeardMusic]

Beautiful, I've just acquired an early Victorian, cloth-bound Full Score of this. Wishing I had a choir to work with but will inevitably adapt it to a delicate woodwind arrangement.

[@baroqueman1]

I want this sung in the context of the 1662 Prayer Book to help me on my way to another sphere !

[@mortalclown3812]

Just being desirous of this ethereal music should be plenty of a boost, friend. Pax et lux

[@horationelson57]

Thank you, Francis1930, for posting this wonderful work. Your dear father had the finest music to farewell him from this world, and send him towards the next...Cheers!

[@kevp9601]

Too Good To Be Forgotten

[@nauort23]

I've listened to that recording hundreds of times. This is the same music, but a different recording.

[@handyman109]

Beautiful traditionally English music and harmony.

[@baroqueman1]

Adds beauty and dignity to send the departed from this world to a better one, if such a world exists,,.

[@kevp9601]

We will Miss You Forever

[@paulsmith5752]

The setting of Thou knowest, Lord is, as you may have realised, by Purcell and is from his Queen Mary Funeral Music. Rather wonderfully, the Croft has been designed to fit around the Purcell in the same way that the Purcell originally fitted into Thomas Morley's Burial Service.

[@johnholmes912]

@C Croft croft used the purcell setting within his own

[@PiscaCPT]

Bravo! Cheers from Brazil

[@Lumisatmi]

No, the Burial Service was sung at the beginning of the service as is usual. Tavener's (not to be confused with Taverner) Song for Athene was the piece sung as the coffin left Westminster Abbey.

[@jsc5492]

Very beautifully sung. By whom?

[@999journiman]

Diana 's funeral was started with a piece by Taverner, not croft. St Paul's and many have recorded it, but check out the sixteen.

[@michellekosek1721]

Tavener's Song for Athene was sung for the recessional as the coffin left Westminster Abbey.

[@3yboy]

The most sombre setting i have encountered. It sort of reminds me of Gothic mausoleums and Victorian funerary obsession even though Croft predates this era. However, it is a choral masterpiece!!! It is the Music used for most British Royal funerals over the last 250 or so years. Knowing my luck, i will end up with Sinatras My Way

[@michellekosek1721]

Write out what you want played, and you might not get "My Way". Let's hope you get "Your way"!

[@juliane3683]

It may not be too bad even if it is my way but only if it is the Sex Pistols version🤣

[@roknil]

You are mistaken, you can buy it from here William Croft (1678-1727) Te Deum & Burial Service St Paul's Cathedral Choir, The Parley of Instruments, John Scott (conductor)

[@kevp9601]

I Am Never Pressing The Dislike Button Forever

[@ruperttmls7985]

This were sung at Georg F. Handel’s funeral in 1759.

[@kevp9601]

Sad Day, Isn't It

[@hughdaubry6135]

Excepting two state funerals, I haven't been to a Church of England burial service in years. Are the Sentences still sung?

[@Londonfogey]

I haven't been to a choral funeral service recently. But the last couple of non-choral CofE funerals I went to did have the sentences said as the coffin was brought in. These however were fairly traditional services using the BCP. I've no idea what the Common Worship rites are for funerals - perhaps it involves liturgical dance and rainbow flags, or something....

[@morganm5370]

Londonfogey nope it’s still these sentences

[@tfh5575]

does anyone know if it’s appropriate to sing these at a catholic funeral? i tried googling. i would like to hear this at my grandmother’s funeral in a catholic church

[@reneedaughter]

Of course...why not?

[@GuntherDebymusique]

William Croft Baptisé le 30 décembre 1678 , Décédé le 14 août 1727, Compositeur anglais de l'époque baroque. Il est né dans le manoir de Nether Ettington dans le Warwickshire. Il reçut son instruction à la Chapel Royal sous la direction de John Blowet y resta jusqu'en 1698. En 1700, il devint organiste de l'église Sainte Anne de Soho. En 1707, il reprit le poste devenu vacant par la mort de Jeremiah Clarke, deMaître des enfants de la Chapelle royale (où l'un de ses élèves fut Maurice Greene) et il succéda l'année suivante à John Blow comme organiste de l'abbaye de Westminster. Il composa, en 1714, la musique jouée pour les funérailles de la reine Ann, et, en 1715, celle du couronnement du roi George Ier. En 1724, Croft publia le recueil Musica Sacra de musique religieuse. Ce fut la première fois qu'une telle collection fut imprimée sous la forme de partitions. Le Burial Service (Office d'enterrement) inclus dans ce recueil a toujours été, depuis lors, utilisé pour les funérailles officielles. Peu de temps après, sa santé se dégrada et il mourut lors d'un voyage à Bath. La musique pour clavier de Croft, pour virginal, épinette et clavecin, fut publiée en deux volumes par Howard Ferguson et Christopher Hogwood en 1974. Deux autres suites furent ajoutées dans l’édition augmentée de 1982. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHnTqHembdl1ag

[@evamor44]

Thumbs down from someone? Really?

[@mrnarason]

interesting

[@horationelson57]

Nonsense indeed! I agree with you but alas, we are outnumbered by the hysterically silly masses