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The significance behind the music played at Lee Kuan Yew's funeral

The significance behind the music played at Lee Kuan Yew's funeral

The state funeral service for the late Lee Kuan Yew took place on Sunday, 29 March 2015.

Several pieces of music were played during the service, and most of them were selected for their deep significance.

“Dead March from Saul” performed by the Singapore Armed Forces Military Band

This piece was played by the Singapore Armed Forces as the Coffin Bearer Party carried the coffin into the University Cultural Centre (UCC). The Party slow-marched to the tune of the piece as they made their way into the UCC.

The title "Dead March from Saul" is a widely-used name for the funeral march by George Frideric Handel. It is usually used on state occasions such as the funeral of a sovereign.

“Air” performed by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

As the casket is carried into the UCC Hall, the Coffin Bearer Party slow marched to the tune of J. S. Bach's “Air” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, performed by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The casket was then placed on the bier for the funeral service.

"Air" is one of the more famous piece by Bach, who originally wrote the suite for a client sometime between the years 1717 and 1723. Although it is played in the D Major from Orchestral Suite No. 3, the piece is now more widely known as "Air on a G String" after a German violinist August Wilhelmj changed the key of the piece, and managed to play it with only one string on his violin — the G string.

Last Post by lone bugler from the Singapore Armed Forces Military Band

At the end of the eulogies, PM Lee and President Tony Tan laid wreaths in front of Lee Kuan Yew’s casket. A lone bugler from the Singapore Armed Forces Military Band sounded the Last Post. This also marked the start of a minute of silence for the late Lee Kuan Yew.

It is traditionally sounded to mark the end of the day’s labour and the onset of a night’s rest. In the case of funerals, it represents a final salute to the deceased.

The Rouse by lone bugler from the Singapore Armed Forces Military Band

The lone bugler then sounded The Rouse, as a symbolic call back to duty after respect was paid to memory of the deceased.

It also marked the end of a minute of silence for late Lee Kuan Yew.

"Majulah Singapura", Singapore's National Anthem

After the recitation of the National Pledge, the National Anthem was played as a mark of respect to the late Lee Kuan Yew. Singaporeans across the island were encouraged to join.

"Majulah Singapura" was composed in 1958 by Zubir Said. It became the national anthem of Singapore when the city-state gained independence in 1965.