As a mark of respect for the passing of Queen Elizabeth I am pausing the comic songs series today to share some of the music that was played at her coronation in 1953. There is an old family story that I was taken by my parents to the coronation. Having been born in November 1952, I missed her accession to the throne but it was certainly possible that I could have been there. Obviously I have no memories of the event but who knows? There was a considerable amount of music played at the coronation and so I have just picked a few favourites from the list to share with you today.
Before Prior to the service 15 pieces of music were performed including two making their debut. The composers ranged from Tallis through Purcell and Handel to Walton, Bliss and Vaughan Williams. Our first selection is the ‘Trumpet Vountary’. This piece was listed as the Trumpet Tune by Purcell in the order of service, but the music is now attributed to another British composer, Jeremiah Clarke.
‘March Crown Imperial’ Regal and brilliant, this triumphant C major piece, composed by William Walton. It is in the Pomp and Cirumstance tradition, with a brisk opening contrasting with a broad middle section, leading to a resounding conclusion. It was first performed at the coronation of King George VI in 1937, and revised for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and the wedding of Prince Wiliam in 2011.
‘Banks of the Green Willow’ is a piece of orchestral music by George Butterworth. It was composed in 1913, is written in the key of A Major, and is around six minutes long. Calling to mind the serene tranquility of the British countryside, Butterworth based The Banks of Green Willow on two folk song melodies that he noted in 1907 – “The Banks of Green Willow” (Child 24, Roud 172) and “Green Bushes” (Roud 1040). and performed before Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.
During A further 22 pieces were performed during the service itself. After an initial fanfare, the service opened with “I Was Glad” (Latin “Laetatus sum“) is a choral introit which is a popular piece in the musical repertoire of the Anglican church. It has been sung at the entrance of the monarch at every coronation since that of King Charles I. Settings for earlier coronations were composed by Purcell and Boyce, among others. Thomas Attwood’s setting was written for the coronation of George IV in 1821. Parry’s version was composed for the coronation of Edward VII in 1902, and revised in 1911 for that of King George V, when the familiar introduction was added. Elizabeth maintained the tradition in 1953.
‘Zadok the Priest’ is a anthem that was composed by George Frideric Handel for the coronation of George II in 1727. One of Handel’s four coronation anthems, this piece sets text from the biblical account of the anointing of Solomon. The words have been used at every English, and later British, coronation since King Edgar was crowned at Bath Abbey in 973.
‘Rejoice in the Lord‘ John Redford, a renowned Tudor composer who died in 1547, may or may not have written this sprightly choral piece. It’s attributed to him, but recent scholarship suggests he didn’t actually compose it. Nevertheless, it was performed at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II as the Homage Anthem along with O Lord our Governour by Willan.
After At the conclusion of the service a further 3 pieces of music were performed (making a total of 40). The ‘Pomp and Circumstance Marches‘ are a series of five (or six) marches for orchestra by Sir Edward Elgar. The first four were published between 1901 and 1907; the fifth was published in 1930, a few years before his death; and a sixth, compiled posthumously from sketches, was published in 1956. Marches No. 1 & 4 concluded the music alongside the premier of Arnold Bax’s Coronation March.
