• Judith Weir
  • Like as the hart (2022)

  • Chester Music Ltd (World)

Composed for the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, London

  • SATB chorus
  • 3 min
  • The Book of Common Prayer
  • English

Programme Note

For the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Westminster Abbey requested that I set to music the first seven verses of Psalm 42, "Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks: so longeth my soul after thee, O God".

The words and music speak at first of the soul's great sadness and thirst for God's reassurance; but as the psalm progresses, the mood becomes calmer and more resolved, culminating in consolation, with the words "Put thy trust in God".

The Queen’s strong faith in, and support of, Anglican worship was an inspiration for me when setting this psalm to music.

Judith Weir
September 2022

 

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  • Choral Highlights 2022
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    • In recent months and for the season ahead the Wise Music choral catalogues are once again burgeoning with new works. There are new pieces and publications from Richard Allain, Peter Bruun, Britta Byström, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Matthew Martin, Paul Mealor, Nico Muhly, Owain Park, Joby Talbot and Judith Weir, plus new repertoire from recent Australian signing Ross Edwards.

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