Henry
Purcell (1659-1695), Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary (1695)
In reaction to the music of
the Gothic period and the Renaissance, which was sometimes excessively polyphonic,
Baroque music starts to set itself apart by introducing monodic elements. Later,
vocal Baroque music is characterized by the juxtaposition of polyphony and homophony,
either the one immediately after the other and therefore clearly separate, or
also merged. Henry Purcell, for example, makes use of this technique in his
Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary (1695), also performed for his own
funeral in Westminster Abbey eight months later in the same year. In the fourth
movement, the four voices pursue each other and mix in the traditional polyphonic
style as though despairingly searching for comfort (In the midst of life
we are in death; of whom may we seek for succour…). Then they unite in homophony,
i. e. in their hope for solace (…but of thee, O Lord?). Even though the
worshippers are still inwardly torn by doubts, which are expressed by yet another
sequence of polyphony (who for our sins art justly displeased), their actual invocation (Yet,
O Lord, most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour) is again uttered
in unison. Chromatic and polyphonic scales symbolize restlessness and fear of
punishment (deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal…). In the
face of death, where everyone is equal, all men sing with one homophonic
accord.
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.
Henry Purcell, Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary (Soundfile)