Track Listing

1. Prelude - William Harris
2. National Anthem
3. Sentences, The
4. Bidding, The
5. Hymn: I Vow To Thee, My Country
6. Reading - Lady Sarah McCorquodale
7. Requiem: Libera Me
8. Reading - Lady Jane Fellowes
9. Hymn: The King Of Love My Shepard Is
10. Reading - The Right Honourable Tony Blair
11. Candle In The Wind - Elton John
12. Tribute - The Earl Spencer
13. Hymn: Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
14. Prayers
15. Air From County Derry
16. Lord's Prayer, The
17. Hymn: Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
18. Commendation, The
19. Alleluia - John Tavener

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #110094 in Music
• Released on: 1997-09-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Collector's Edition

CD Description
DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES 1961-1997 is the BBC recording of Diana's funeral service held at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, September 6, 1997. All record company profits from this record will go to The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. "Candle In The Wind 1997" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Customer Reviews

May she rest in peace
Prior to the recent death of Pope John Paul II, the funeral service of Diana, Princess of Wales stands out in recent history as one of the most dramatic, most watched, and most awe-inspiring in majesty and scope. Perhaps the tragedy that surrounded her death made the event even more poignant. Taking place at Westminster Abbey, the Funeral Service followed a fairly standard Anglican pattern of liturgy, but had certain additions and flairs that befit the style of life of the Princess.

The readings on this recording are preserved; this is not simply the music from the service, but includes the tribute readings done by Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes, and Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as the somewhat shocking statement read out by her brother, the Earl Spencer, who said much in emotional tenor that people felt but were afraid to say.

The music includes some hymns and service music pieces that are familiar and favourites of Diana. These include pieces by well-known composers such as Holst and Verdi, as well as a prelude by William Harris, the National Anthem (God Save the Queen), and the stunning 'Alleluia' at the end by John Tavener, modern composer from the Orthodox tradition, whose haunting strains cast a tone of reverence and mystery over the entire proceeding. Perhaps the more bizarre (but not entirely inappropriate) piece was a modification of the song, 'Candle in the Wind', performed by Elton John in honour of Diana.

In some ways, it feels as if the funeral were conducted only yesterday, and in other ways, that it is a lifetime ago. Not even ten years have passed since the funeral on Saturday, the 6th of September, 1997. The world is a different place, but Diana's image remains a strong one in the minds of all who knew her, and of most who knew of her. This album is a loving tribute, and a great remembrance.

Worth buying
I did not purchase this because of what Diana meant to me, but for the recording of a beautiful funeral.

This CD is worth having if only for the stunning performance of John Taverner's Song for Athene - which is truly beautiful, haunting and reverent.