Britain’s upcoming coronation anthem to be composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch of England, passed away in September 2022, leaving behind the reigns to her eldest son, now King Charles III. However, the official coronation ceremony is still due. It is scheduled to happen on 6th May at London’s Westminster Abbey.
Now, ahead of the ceremony, King Charles III has himself chosen legendary British music composer Andrew Lloyd Webber to write the coronation anthem that will symbolise the nation’s both rich tradition and cultural heritage. The anthem will also be accompanied by 11 other pieces of ceremonial music all exhibiting contemporary musical voices. In fact, all the musical talents have been hand-chosen by the current monarch himself to showcase the iconic musical history of United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Sources also cite that King Charles III has personally requested Greek Orthodox music to be played during the ceremony as a tribute to his late father Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburg who had passed away in 2021. This particular piece has been commissioned to the famous Byzantine Chant Ensemble.
In addition, six orchestral session, five choral session and one organ session have been scheduled by various popular British composers and include classical, pious, film, television and theatrical music.
For those unaware, Andrew Lloyd Webber is known for several hit musicals such as Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. He has also received the Oscar for his song You Must Love Me in the category Best Original Song. For this latest opportunity, Webber has expressed his incredible honour and has said how he intends to loosely base the anthem on Psalm 98 and wishes that it reflects the joyous occasion.
Apart from Webber, other famous musical personalities involved in the coronation ceremony are award-winning Scottish composer Patrick Doyle who will create “A Coronation March” as well as English pianist, arranger, organist and composer Iain Farrington who will play the organ solo and include musical themes from all across the world, especially the Commonwealth nations.
The likes of Sarah Class, Nigel Hess, Paul Mealor, Tarik O’Regan, Roxanna Panufnik, Shirley J Thompson, Judith Weird, Roderick Williams and Debbie Wiseman will also unveil one new composition each.
The gospel choir has also been handpicked and will include: The Ascension Choir (will perform the service), the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. Additionally, there will be girl choristers from the Chapel Choir of Methodist College, Belfast, and Truro Cathedral Choir.
The traditional ‘Vivat’ (Long Live!) proclamation will be done by the King's Scholars of Westminster School. Bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, soprano Pretty Yende and baritone Roderick Williams will be among the soloists.
As for the musical arrangements, that charge has been taken by none other that Andrew Nethsingha, organist and master of the choristers at Westminster Abbey.
In case you were wondering, coronation ceremonies have been taking place in the Westminster Abbey since 1066 and all services are a mixture of deep-rooted tradition and contemporary innovation, often full of accessible and communicative music.
The official Coronation Orchestra on the other hand will be conducted by the very distinguished Sir Antonio Pappano, the lead music director for the Royal Opera House. It will be made up of musicians drawn from orchestras of the former Prince of Wales' patronages including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Interestingly, music which has been played at coronation services over the past four centuries will also be part of the programme. A medley of works of Sir Karl Jenkins, one of the most-performed living composers in the world will also be the concluding piece.
There will also be other historical background sounds from the works of William Byrd, George Frideric Handel, Sir Edward Elgar, Sir Henry Walford Davies, Sir William Walton, Sir Hubert Parry and Ralph Vaughan Williams – all British music legends.
Fanfares will also be played by The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry and The Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force.
There will also be a pre-service wherein Sir John Eliot Gardiner will conduct The Monteverdi Choir and direct the English Baroque soloists. A small group of singers from The Monteverdi Choir will also join the main choral forces for the service.