Found it via Twitter. Originally played 3 days ago on Classic FM.
Join us now to hear a premiere broadcast by our Composer in Residence, Debbie Wiseman – her beautiful piece ‘Elizabeth Remembered’, in honour of Her Majesty.
And Debbie Wiseman confirmed on Twitter after promoting the broadcast from a few days ago.
Yes, it is my music that's played before and after the BBC TV live broadcasts.
For anyone who doesn't know, Debbie Wiseman has been writing music for Queen Elizabeth since participating in the Water Music project during the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
And wrote a whole album of music for the monarchy, with passages read by Helen Mirren and Damien Lewis, including this lovely piece for Elizabeth II.
This good article from Gramophone has a nice bit on Wiseman and much other music written for Elizabeth II, though misses Tippett's suite for the Birthday of Prince Charles, Walton's music, etc.
There's also a short chorus (wordless chorus I believe) and orchestra excerpt that has been introducing BBC's news coverage (at least here in the States) since the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II was announced (usually plays over a photo montage of the Queen through the years). Sounds like there's a mid-range pedal tone (a C maybe) that runs through the music. Was wondering if this came from an extant piece of concert music or might have been specially composed for the broadcasts. Whatever it is it's quite affecting.
Debbie Wiseman was one of 11 composers chosen to write "New Water Music" for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012. She was also commissioned to compose the Overture and Finale music for the Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration in May 2016,
In the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2018, Wiseman was appointed OBE for services to music.
Thank you so much to everyone for their help in identifying the composer. It seems that Debbie is receiving a lot of praise for this so hopefully it will receive some sort of official release. It's a beautifully modulated and gently elegant piece that touches me every time I hear it, especially when heard in conjunction with the moving images from the historic event.
Thank you so much to everyone for their help in identifying the composer. It seems that Debbie is receiving a lot of praise for this so hopefully it will receive some sort of official release. It's a beautifully modulated and gently elegant piece that touches me every time I hear it, especially when heard in conjunction with the moving images from the historic event.
“Elizabeth Remembered” will be released as a charity single on 21st October with all proceeds going to the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
