Post by erik on Oct 1, 2022 18:53:19 GMT -5
In this Classical Works Spotlight, the focus is on George Frideric Handel and his famous group of Four Coronation Anthems, all written for the coronation of King George II in 1727, and all of which have been played at every English coronation since.
Handel: FOUR CORONATION ANTHEMS
For much of the 17th, 18th, and even into the 19th centuries, many composers were commissioned to write works for people in high-standing places of society. But few were ever as indebted to one man as was the German-born English émigré George Frideric Handel was to England’s King George II. Next to Johann Sebastian Bach, Handel’s reputation as a high master of the Baroque era of classical music would remain quite substantial several centuries after his passing in 1749; and part of that reputation rested on the works that George II commissioned, on those occasions when the king wasn’t having delusions of considerable grandeur that may well have been a sign of latent insanity. The composer had already displayed his musical loyalty to George I with his Water Music collection in 1717; and a decade later, when George II and Queen Caroline were crowned, Handel composed four coronation anthems. These four works remain staples around the world, and most especially so in England itself. Handel also wrote them as a gesture to the recently-departed George I for allowing him and others of German birth to be naturalized. In order, the coronation athems are: (1) Zadok The Priest; (2) The King Shall Rejoice; (3) Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened; and (4) My Heart Is Inditing. Apart from the choral component, which is usually of significant though not gargantuan size, the orchestral accompaniment is exceptionally royal, including three trumpets and timpani in both “Zadok” and “Inditing”; and the text of each is taken from various passages in the Bible, as would be the case with his oratorios, “Messiah” being the most obvious. “Zadok” is the most popular of the four, due to its hushed opening of strings before the entrance of the trumpets, timpani, and chorus; but all four have been performed according to tradition at every English crowning since 1727, while also remaining hugely popular with audiences.
Organ: TREVOR PINNOCK
Choir of Westminster Abbey
English Concert/SIMON PRESTION (Deutsche Graamphon)
Included:
DIXIT DOMINUS (Choir and Orchestra of Westminster Abbey/SIMON PRESTION)
Handel: FOUR CORONATION ANTHEMS
For much of the 17th, 18th, and even into the 19th centuries, many composers were commissioned to write works for people in high-standing places of society. But few were ever as indebted to one man as was the German-born English émigré George Frideric Handel was to England’s King George II. Next to Johann Sebastian Bach, Handel’s reputation as a high master of the Baroque era of classical music would remain quite substantial several centuries after his passing in 1749; and part of that reputation rested on the works that George II commissioned, on those occasions when the king wasn’t having delusions of considerable grandeur that may well have been a sign of latent insanity. The composer had already displayed his musical loyalty to George I with his Water Music collection in 1717; and a decade later, when George II and Queen Caroline were crowned, Handel composed four coronation anthems. These four works remain staples around the world, and most especially so in England itself. Handel also wrote them as a gesture to the recently-departed George I for allowing him and others of German birth to be naturalized. In order, the coronation athems are: (1) Zadok The Priest; (2) The King Shall Rejoice; (3) Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened; and (4) My Heart Is Inditing. Apart from the choral component, which is usually of significant though not gargantuan size, the orchestral accompaniment is exceptionally royal, including three trumpets and timpani in both “Zadok” and “Inditing”; and the text of each is taken from various passages in the Bible, as would be the case with his oratorios, “Messiah” being the most obvious. “Zadok” is the most popular of the four, due to its hushed opening of strings before the entrance of the trumpets, timpani, and chorus; but all four have been performed according to tradition at every English crowning since 1727, while also remaining hugely popular with audiences.
Organ: TREVOR PINNOCK
Choir of Westminster Abbey
English Concert/SIMON PRESTION (Deutsche Graamphon)
Included:
DIXIT DOMINUS (Choir and Orchestra of Westminster Abbey/SIMON PRESTION)