Andrew Lloyd Webber, the English composer who developed the scores for blockbuster musicals these as “Cats,’’ “The Phantom of the Opera’’ and “Evita,’’ has prepared the anthem for King Charles III’s coronation, adapting a piece of church music that encourages singers to make a “joyful sound.”
The operate by Webber is one of a dozen new parts Charles commissioned for the grand celebration using put May well 6 at Westminster Abbey. It consists of words adapted from Psalm 98 and is scored precisely for the abbey’s choir and organ.
“I hope my anthem demonstrates this joyful celebration,” Webber mentioned in a assertion dispersed by Buckingham Palace.
The software for the king’s coronation ceremony consists of older music and new compositions as the palace seeks to blend traditional and present day aspects that replicate the realities of modern Britain. New parts were composed by artists with roots in all four of the United Kingdom’s constituent nations, as effectively as in the Commonwealth and foreign international locations that have despatched so several persons to its shores.
The company will incorporate performs by William Byrd (1543–1623), George Frideric Handel (1685–1759), Edward Elgar (1857–1934), Henry Walford Davies (1869–1941), William Walton (1902–1983), Hubert Parry (1848–1918) and Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958), whose new music has highlighted in previous coronations, together with a piece from the modern Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.
There will also be new is effective by Sarah Class, Nigel Hess, Paul Mealor, Tarik O’Regan, Roxanna Panufnik, Shirley J. Thompson, Judith Weir, Roderick Williams and Debbie Wiseman.
“The selection to merge old and new reflects the cultural breadth of the age in which we live,’’ claimed Andrew Nethsingha, the organist and learn of choristers at Westminster Abbey.
“Coronations have taken place in Westminster Abbey given that 1066. It has been a privilege to collaborate with his majesty in deciding upon wonderful musicians and available, communicative songs for this good occasion,” Nethsingha stated.
In all, six orchestral commissions, 5 choral commissions and a single organ commission — spanning the classical, sacred, film, television and musical theater genres — were designed for the coronation.
The program will also include things like private touches, which include a musical tribute to Charles’ late father, Prince Philip, who was born a Greek prince. The new monarch requested Greek Orthodox songs, which will be carried out by the Byzantine Chant Ensemble.
Though particulars on some of the materials are staying held less than wraps, a person hymn will definitely be part of the provider: Handel’s “Zadok the Priest.”
The hymn, with its robust refrain of “God Save the King,” has been played at every coronation since it was commissioned for the coronation of King George II in 1727.
