Musical mastermind pens King Charles’ coronation anthem
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has been revealed as the creative driving force behind King Charles III’s coronation anthem.
Webber’s work is one of 12 commissioned, and personally selected by Charles, for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on the 6th of May. The piece includes words adapted from Psalm 98, and is scored specifically for the abbey’s choir and organ to encourage “joyful noise”.
"I am incredibly honoured to have been asked to compose a new anthem for The Coronation," Webber said in a statement from Buckingham Palace. "I hope my anthem reflects this joyful occasion."
The coronation’s program is set to include older music and newer compositions in a bid to reflect Britain in 2023 by merging the traditional and the modern.
"The decision to combine old and new reflects the cultural breadth of the age in which we live,'' said organist and master of choristers at Westminster Abbey Andrew Nethsingha.
"Coronations have taken place in Westminster Abbey since 1066,” he added, “it has been a privilege to collaborate with his majesty in choosing fine musicians and accessible, communicative music for this great occasion."
The ceremony will also include pieces by English composers William Byrd, Edward Elgar, Henry Walford Davies, William Walton, Hubert Parry, and Ralph Vaughan Williams, as well as German-British composer George Frideric Handel and contemporary Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.
The musical talents of Sarah Class, Nigel Hess, Roxanna Panufnik, Shirley J Thompson, Judith Weir, Roderick Williams, Debbie Wiseman, Tarik O'Regan, and Paul Mealor will also be featured.
Altogether, 12 pieces were commissioned and created for the event - six orchestral, five choral, and one organ. Additionally, it is said the coronation will include personal touches, one of such a musical tribute to Charles’ father, Prince Philip.
Philip was born a prince of both Greece and Denmark, and was in the line of succession for both thrones. As such, King Charles III requested Greek Orthodox music be played, to be performed by the Byzantine Chant Ensemble.
While many specifics are still unknown, many have no doubt that the 18th century hymn Zadok the Priest will feature. After all, it has been played at every coronation since 1727, when it was commissioned for King George.
As Buckingham Palace said in a statement, “a range of musical styles and performers blend tradition, heritage and ceremony with new musical voices of today, reflecting The King's lifelong love and support of music and the arts.”
And for those eager to hear even more of the music surrounding the event, a concert is set to be held at Windsor Castle the following night on May 7, with many international headlining acts rumoured to play.
Images: Getty