Dido’s Lament (Purcell arr. Bryars)

Gavin’s Notes:

I made this arrangement of Purcell’s Dido’s Lament for the funeral of my dear friend Frank Campbell. Frank was a really great pianist and, although the same age as me, had studied with me at Scraptoft for two years. He was a Franciscan friar and left the monastery to follow his musical direction. I often played bass with him as part of a trio both during the time of his study and after.

At his funeral, the music consisted entirely of pieces written by Frank, but out of respect for his keyboard skills – and it was his express wish, none were for organ or piano – just vocal works sung by a group of four singers, specialists in early music. At the request of his widow, Olivia, I made this version of the lament, to be sung at the end of the service.

Didos Lament Feb 2019