Floral Tribute (2023)

Floral Tribute is a setting of a poem by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, honouring the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Written in the style of a lullaby, with gentle rocking harmonies, it is a six-minute work for double choir with optional string quartet accompaniment. Commissioned by BBC Radio 3 and VOCES8 Foundation, it was first performed by VOCES8 and the Carducci String Quartet at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms 2023.

When VOCES8 approached me to set this beautiful poem, which Poet Laureate Simon Armitage wrote after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, I was immediately struck by the warmth and gentleness of his words – to me it conjured up a bittersweet lullaby. Bittersweet as it mourns the passing of our wonderful Queen but also celebrates her finest qualities of steadfastness and devotion to her people. A lullaby because it’s like we’re saying goodnight to Her Majesty – this is portrayed by gentle rocking harmonies, accompanying Her Majesty to her final rest.

One of the most important things about Floral Tribute is that the two verses are acrostic – each one’s first letter of the first line spells E-L-I-Z-A-B-E-T-H. I’ve made much of this by having one singer at a time (this changes every line) singing the whole line whilst the other seven accompany using that letter or first syllable.

The poem ends very positively as the memory of Her Majesty – ‘This lily… whose brightness Holds and glows beyond the life and border of its bloom’ – will live on.

Floral Tribute is a co-commission with the BBC Proms and VOCES8 and is dedicated to VOCES8 and the memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Roxanna Panufnik, 24 May 2023