Purcell - In the midst of life, Z. 17a

No. 2 of the 3 Funeral Sentences. A = 415 Hz

Purcell's three Funeral Sentences were not written for the funeral of Queen Mary in 1695. Following the tradition of the English court, it was pieces by Thomas Morley, originally written for the funeral of Elizabeth I, that were sung there. Purcell's only contribution to the ceremony was the composition of two pieces for slide trumpets (March and Canzona), and the anthem in the archaic style Thou knowest, Lord. During the funeral procession to Westminster Abbey, a band of oboes played two marches written by John Paisible and Thomas Tollet.

Text from the Book of Common Prayer (1662) :

In the midst of life we are in death: of whom
May we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord,
Who for our sins art justly displeased? Yet,
O Lord, most mighty, O holy and most
Merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter
Pains of eternal death.

Performers : Vox Luminis and Lionel Meunier. From the album "Purcell, Morley & Tomkins: English Royal Funeral Music"