Marche funèbre, Op. 40, No. 3

When I woke up this morning, the first thing I thought of was: "I should post something for Memorail Day..."

The first thought I had was "For the fallen" by Elgar, but I couldn't find the music...

Without wanting to spend the whole day looking, I found a book entitled: "An Album of Memorial and Funeral Music," published by Oxford in 1960. I found an order of service in the book from 1987, so, that's probably the last time I played anything from it!

I had never played the "Marche funèbre" by Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), but as I looked at it, it seemed like an excellent choice. In addition to the more "funeral" and quiet sections, the central section is more "military," and builds to a tremendous climax, before return to the solemn and sad C minor melody of the opening.

The Hereford Willis did an excellent job on this one, and the stops seemed to suggest themselves.

This fine march, sweet, sad, and solemn, was arranged for the organ by C. H. Trevor (1895-1976), who did many arrangements, editions and transcriptions for Oxford University Press. Well-known as a performer and instructor, he was the teacher of Simon Preston.

This piece is offered in thanksgiving for all those who have nobly served the cause of freedom, and who have made the ultimate sacrifice in that great cause.