Liverpool Cathedral Commemorative Concert: 3 October 2008

[Malcolm]

It was in every way a funeral for QE2.

It was the funeral (admittedly held whilst the corpse was still breathing!). Not only was the service there to mark the passing of QE2 it also did a very good job of celebrating her life. It was also a great help to have others, who felt the same way about the ship as me, there.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

It was the funeral (admittedly held whilst the corpse was still breathing!). Not only was the service there to mark the passing of QE2 it also did a very good job of celebrating her life. It was also a great help to have others, who felt the same way about the ship as me, there.

Are there any pictures or videos of that service -- or of Liverpool Cathedral just before or after the service? It was quite an important element of the Round Britain Farewell, but there seems a real scarcity of pictures. Thank you, mrkpnh, for the first glimpse I have seen of it!

[Malcolm]

Are there any pictures or videos of that service -- or of Liverpool Cathedral just before or after the service?

The only shots of the Cathedral I've seen are on my video (see elsewhere). Cunard did record the entire service and issue it on DVD to everyone who attended the service. The DVD is entitled "QE2: Time to Say Goodbye". I've Googled it quickly and can't see it for sale anywhere. I think I would try contacting Cunard and asking them.

[cunardqueen]

This was taken inside during the service.
The large screen provided closeups during the service and was showing various shots of QE2 prior to the service

[Cruise_Princess]

Was twittering about on here whilst EMMERDALE was on TV  music played throughout in the background was the requiem played when the  QE2's paying off pennant was carried down the aisle of Liverpool Cathedral...it was such a haunting piece of music   so therefore so easy to pick up on it when heard again.....had to be one of the most emotional moments...there wasnt a dry eye in the cathedral...........

Did anyone else notice or maybe Im the only saddo that would pick up on it?  LOL......

[Michael Gallagher]

Well Done! Spotted it straight away as I chose it for the Concert.  Faure's In Paradisum. Beautiful.

[Cruise_Princess]

You know me Michael.......thought about you too.whilst it was playing! waited for the credits at the end to see the name of it as I couldnt remember and thought I would have to dig out the programme!!  as it was they twitter on about the next tv prog and no credits...but you came to the rescue!

[highlander0108]

Michael, I took out the DVD of the concert on New Years Eve to listen to Auld Langs Syne and if course that bit with the paying out pennant got to me again.  Well chosen music!

[cunardqueen]

Well Done! Spotted it straight away as I chose it for the Concert.  Faure's In Paradisum. Beautiful.

Is that the same music that played in Inspector Morse in his final episode?
Very haunting l thought, but just so right !,...... (Not for Morse but for the concert)

[Beardy Rich]

A lovely piece of music, in fact I've just added it to my Spotify playlist
I sometimes wish I knew more about classical music... quite often I hear music clips (on TV for instance) and find it very difficult, if not impossible, to find out the name of the piece or the composer.

[jdl]

Well I have never heard this particular piece of music, a quick scan through my classical collection and iTunes beckons this weekend !!

Thanks for enlightening me, jdl

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

This thread is now also ready for your memories of the QE2's final call to Liverpool.

What was the day like? The high point, no doubt, the Service of Celebration in the Cathedral...

Was there a memorable sailaway?

[Michael Gallagher]

QE2: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE CONCERT
Order of Service

The National Anthem
Speech: The Rt Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Liverpool
The Day Thou Gavest Lord, is Ended
Speech: The Dean of Liverpool
Amazing Grace
Speech: Captain Robin Woodall
In Paradisum
The Paying Off Pennant is Presented
Speech: Dame Beryl Bainbridge
My Way
Speech: Carol Marlow, President of Cunard
Time to Say Goodbye
Speech: Simon Weston
Sailing
Jerusalem
Rule Britannia
Land of Hope and Glory
Speech: Captain McNaught
Close of Day

A magical moment when Dame Beryl said that QE2 "will sail forever in our hearts".

We do like to play with people emotions whenever we do these concerts by dragging them down to lift them up again. But I have to say that most people were crippled with emotion (me too!) when the Paying Off Pennant came in to In Paradisum. Perfect!

[cunardqueen]

We do like to play with people emotions whenever we do these concerts by dragging them down to lift them up again. But I have to say that most people were crippled with emotion (me too!) when the Paying Off Pennant came in to In Paradisum. Perfect!

Personally it was for me in every sense a funeral, and as Flagship says when the paying off Pennant was carried down the isle of the Cathedral to the haunting In Paradisum, Anyone who had managed to hold it together at that point just gave up. The whole service was nothing short of perfection!! from the oversized screen with views of QE2 which started me off to the speeches, even the atmosphere, But the location!! and even the logistics of getting everyone there in time.  Those Cunard PR folks do have a lot to answer for
If l can say it was one of the times you had to be there to witness and sense all that was going on round you.
 The only complaint, and forgive me, was the DVD sent out to the passengers of the service, it wasnt the normal standard we expected from  Cunard.

[Michael Gallagher]

I agree about the DVd Myles - but at least there was one. There was nothing for the 40th Anniversary Concert.