7th September 1997
Music for Mourning
Philip Singleton: Fanfare "Diana"
Elgar (from The Dream of Gerontius): Proficiscere Anima Christiana
Philip Singleton wrote on the score of this piece:
'This fanfare, written in response to the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales last weekend, is not intended to be in any way funereal. Rather, it is a respectful salute to one of Great Britain's and the world's best loved people of all time. It is to be performed only once: Sunday 7 September 1997 3pm by the brass section of the Prommers' Orchestra at Door 9 of the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London as part of the orchestra's annual concert.' (The score was attached to the memorial book which many Promenaders signed during the last two weeks of the Season and was sent to the Palace).
Before this piece was performed, the conductor said:
'Many of us here remember the performance last year on 13th September of Beethoven's Choral Symphony. After that performance, by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the conductor said that he had wanted to bring his orchestra to meet us as we were such a good 'public'. Now would we please be a good public and go home. (The response from the front of the Arena was a resounding NO since we were sleeping out). The conductor was, of course, Sir Georg Solti who has, himself, now gone home. The chorus, orchestra and I wish to dedicate this performance of the prayers for the dead from The Dream of Gerontius to the memory of Sir Georg and all those who have died in the past week. '