"Also included is Joseph Turrin’s poignant and moving Hymn for Diana, a tender, heart-wrenching elegy for the departed Princess of Wales. Though only six minutes in length, for me the work is the highlight of the disc."
— Merlin Patterson, Fanfare Magazine (September/October 2010)
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Hymn for Diana
In memory of Princess Diana
Buy Score
- Duration 5 min
- Year 1997
- Instrumentation Eb soprano cornet, 9 cornets, flugelhorn, 3 alto horns, 2 baritones, 3 trombones, euphonium, 2 Eb tubas, 2 Bb tubas, percussion
- Publisher The Salvation Army / Music Publications
Program Notes
I composed Hymn for Diana the week of September 7, 1997. I wanted to pay tribute to Princess Diana's life and all that she represented to the people of this world.
The Hymn opens with a stately chorale that is the main focus of the work. Following is a brief lighter section with almost a waltz quality which builds to a rather short climax. There is at this point, a building of tension culminating in descending diatonic scale patterns. I thought of the memorial service on Sept. 6, 1997 from Westminster Abbey. At the conclusion there was this cascade of descending bells, so haunting and dreadful. I will never forget that sound.
The main chorale now returns in full glory. There is a diminuendo, then a short building of tension once again. The lighter waltz section returns and the piece slowly fades into the distance.
Although the work has a mournful quality, there is a touch of optimism and grace throughout. Very much like Princess Diana herself, And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.
Joseph Turrin ‘Hymn for Diana’: A Loving Tribute
— Published by Alex Burns on 5th October 2019