The King's Coronation | My favourite musical moments - The Spidy Editor

Reflecting back on a wonderful weekend of music making from Westminster Abbey in London for the coronation of King Charles III on May 6th, 2023, I am reminded of all the sublime music presented before us and cannot fail to be moved by its beauty. With Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Sir Antonio Pappano and Andrew Nethsingha at the helm, we were in for a treat. Supported by the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists, the Coronation Orchestra (made up of members from the six orchestras of which King Charles is a patron and led by Vasco Vassilev, leader of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden), the Choir of Westminster Abbey and many, many more (see below), this was a truly wonderful musical occasion.

I hope you will forgive my indulgence and allow me to share some of my favourite musical moments, if for no other reason than to recreate some of the magic.

The Coronation Service, Westminster Abbey

Pretty Yende, the South African soprano and the first African soloist to be invited to perform at a coronation, performed Sacred Fire, a new commission by the television and film composer, Sarah Class 📸 BBC

The Welsh bass-baritone, Sir Bryn Terfel performed a Welsh setting of the ancient Latin text, Kyrie Eleison by Paul Mealor – the first time such a work in the Welsh language has ever been performed at a coronation. Described by the composer as a cry from the deep soul of the hills and valleys of Wales for hope, peace, love and friendship, this arrangement certainly raised the roof as the choir and Terfel pleaded:

ARGLWYDD, trugarhâ,

Crist, trugarhâ.

Arglwydd, trugarhâ.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Listen to Alleluia (O Sing Praises) by Debbie Wiseman, sung by the fabulous Ascension Gospel Choir – again, a first for gospel music at such an occasion.

The King’s Coronation Concert, Windsor Castle

The concert on Sunday evening, the day after all the pomp and majesty of Westminster Abbey, was a totally different affair. Set in the grounds of Windsor Castle, the King’s Coronation Concert aimed to include as many different types of music as possible with everything from Shakespeare with The Royal Ballet and members of The Royal Opera House to Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Take That (joined by some amazing military drummers), and even Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog! There really was something for everyone, even little five-year-old Prince Louis who seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.

Watch a quick 5 minute resume of some of the highlights from The King’s Coronation Concert

Sir Bryn Terfel having quite the weekend, performing You’ll Never Walk Alone with Andrea Bocelli in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Sunday evening.

I just can’t stop listening to this amazing virtuoso arrangement and performance of Reflection from Disney’s Mulan by the wonderful Lang Lang, subsequently joined by Nicole Scherzinger at the King’s Coronation Concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Sunday May 7th, 2023. Thank you so much Steinway Pianos for sharing this video.

A most illuminating interview where Lang Lang talks in some detail about how this collaboration with Nicole Scherzinger for the King’s Coronation Concert came about and how the choice of Reflections from the Disney film Mulan perfectly illustrated the cultural connection between east and western societies.

King Charles, the musician

King Charles is quite possibly one of the most musically literate monarchs the British Isles has known and reminds me of Henry VIII who composed the Henry VIII Songbook, reputedly taking inspiration from composers such as Thomas Tallis. The support which King Charles brings to musicians at this time is vital and much appreciated by many in the profession. Long may this support continue.

Further Listening & Reading:

Listen to all the music on The Official Album of the Coronation: The Complete Recording on a specially recorded album available on Spotify, or for purchase.

Extract below from the Coronation Order of Service which details of all the musicians who made the service such memorable occasion:

The service is sung by the Choirs of Westminster Abbey and His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace (Director of Music: Joseph McHardy), with choristers from Methodist College, Belfast (Director of Music: Ruth McCartney), and Truro Cathedral Choir (Director of Music until April 2023: Christopher Gray), and an octet from the Monteverdi Choir.

The music during the service is directed by Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers, Westminster Abbey.

The organ is played by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, Westminster Abbey.

The Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists are conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner CBE.

The Coronation Orchestra is conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano.

The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry are led by Trumpet Major Julian Sandford.

The Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force are conducted by Wing Commander Piers Morrell OBE MVO, Principal Director of Music, Royal Air Force.

The fanfares at The Recognition and The Homage were composed for this service by Dr Christopher Robinson CVO CBE.

The King’s Scholars of Westminster School are directed by Tim Garrard, Director of Music.

The Ascension Choir is directed by Abimbola Amoako-Gyampah.
The Byzantine Chant Ensemble is directed by Dr Alexander Lingas. The Coronation Brass Ensemble is conducted by Paul Wynne Griffiths.

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