Music for the Coronation

[visualnickmos]

So would I, would likely only take me a 2-3 weeks to write it fully scored, welcome to ask me if the commissioned one (whatever it is), isn't llikely to be ready in time. Don't think I'll be watching/listening to the Coronation, the thought of hearing even a few seconds of ALW, Nigel Hess or Wiseman is just too terrifying a prospect.

Indeed, that and the ominous reinforcement of the superior ruling establishment, continuing the pathetic parody of the dysfunctional family at its head.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The saddest thing is that the Coronation is one of the occasions when more listeners and viewers from outside Britain , many of whoim may never come here, look in to see what we're up to. When they hear these composers' offerings will they sigh or laugh up their sleeves and say 'There, didn't we say it was 'The Land Without Music?'

This particular quotation is overhyped. It was merely the ramblings of of a single German music critic: Oscar Schmitz. He was quite wrong, as it was said in 1904, by which time Richard Strauss had already endorsed The Dream of Gerontius.
A remark such as this could so easily have been forgotten, but like so many quotations, it has been amplified disproportionately.

[Keraulophone]

The Sunday Times take:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/king-charles-coronation-will-have-cornish-choristers-and-orthodox-chants-tcnj3vfqc?shareToken=593ac4b5c167bd348fe19b0f1ea16029

Maybe the Truro girls pictured here are familiar to a couple of forumites from those parts.

"Known 'em for years!"

The whole cathedral choir feels greatly honoured that our sixth-form girl choristers have been asked to sing in the Coronation.

(Unfortunately three years too late for my daughter, though you will be able to hear her in something else from Ash Wednesday...)

[oddoneout]

A different take on the subject of coronation music.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/01/forget-take-that-heres-the-music-charles-should-have-for-his-coronation

Anyone got any info on this? Or is it all firmly the realm of the social/trash media - uninformed speculation and clickbait?

As reports swirl on the big stars playing or snubbing the upcoming coronation,

[cat]

A different take on the subject of coronation music.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/01/forget-take-that-heres-the-music-charles-should-have-for-his-coronation

Anyone got any info on this? Or is it all firmly the realm of the social/trash media - uninformed speculation and clickbait?

It is in reference to the concert at Windsor on the day after the coronation. Apparently Adele and Harry Styles et al. have cited previous commitments as rendering them unable to make an appearance at what is probably short notice relative to how their big gigs are typically scheduled.

I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise that our newspapers seem happy to churn out articles by rock journalists on music at the after-party, whilst completely ignoring the music and performers programmed for the actual coronation.

[Master Jacques]

A remark such as this could so easily have been forgotten, but like so many quotations, it has been amplified disproportionately.

The Germans started the ball rolling, using it for propaganda during World War I. Since when, I suspect it has only ever been used by the English themselves, as a convenient way of killing two birds (British music and our German cousins) with one stone. Certainly my Spanish colleagues looked completely blank when I used the phrase casually during a lecture at Valencia University!

[oddoneout]

It is in reference to the concert at Windsor on the day after the coronation. Apparently Adele and Harry Styles et al. have cited previous commitments as rendering them unable to make an appearance at what is probably short notice relative to how their big gigs are typically scheduled.

I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise that our newspapers seem happy to churn out articles by rock journalists on music at the after-party, whilst completely ignoring the music and performers programmed for the actual coronation.

Silly me, should have realised they weren't talking about the coronation itself...

[smittims]

I was disappointed to see that Guardian article. So often nowadays in the media 'music' means rock music, as if no other exists. I don't think the music they mention 'represents' Britain today any more than the many other kinds of music such as amateur choirs, folk groups, local amateur wind bands, or you and me sitting at home playing a CD of Haydn, etc. Nor do I think there's any reason why the Coronation should 'represent' Britain today; this idea seems to have emerged from somewhere without any justification.

The Coronation is surely supposed to be a visible ceremony of religious significance where the King takes his oath for life . Music isn't essential at all. I know there's along standing tradition of it but it's curious that there should be such a fuss about the choice of music this time; I don't think that's happened before. I think the King has been pushed into this absurd low-brow choice of composers because of this spurious idea about 'representing' Britain, and as an unsatisfactory compromise to try to find a middle ground; but I suspect it will please only the 'Proms-in-the Park' type of audience

[Stanfordian]

I was disappointed to see that Guardian article. So often nowadays in the media 'music' means rock music, as if no other exists. I don't think the music they mention 'represents' Britain today any more than the many other kinds of music such as amateur choirs, folk groups, local amateur wind bands, or you and me sitting at home playing a CD of Haydn, etc. Nor do I think there's any reason why the Coronation should 'represent' Britain today; this idea seems to have emerged from somewhere without any justification.

The Coronation is surely supposed to be a visible ceremony of religious significance where the King takes his oath for life . Music isn't essential at all. I know there's along standing tradition of it but it's curious that there should be such a fuss about the choice of music this time; I don't think that's happened before. I think the King has been pushed into this absurd low-brow choice of composers because of this spurious idea about 'representing' Britain, and as an unsatisfactory compromise to try to find a middle ground; but I suspect it will please only the 'Proms-in-the Park' type of audience

Hiya smittims,

I couldn’t agree more with your comments concerning 'music for the coronation'.

[Nick Armstrong]

A new low for BBC News headline writing:

[vinteuil]

A new low for BBC News headline writing:

.

... come now, caliban - it was a knowing joke

.

[Nick Armstrong]

.

... come now, caliban - it was a knowing joke

.

I wonder if you give them too much credit…

[MickyD]

I was disappointed to see that Guardian article. So often nowadays in the media 'music' means rock music, as if no other exists. I don't think the music they mention 'represents' Britain today any more than the many other kinds of music such as amateur choirs, folk groups, local amateur wind bands, or you and me sitting at home playing a CD of Haydn, etc. Nor do I think there's any reason why the Coronation should 'represent' Britain today; this idea seems to have emerged from somewhere without any justification.

The Coronation is surely supposed to be a visible ceremony of religious significance where the King takes his oath for life . Music isn't essential at all. I know there's along standing tradition of it but it's curious that there should be such a fuss about the choice of music this time; I don't think that's happened before. I think the King has been pushed into this absurd low-brow choice of composers because of this spurious idea about 'representing' Britain, and as an unsatisfactory compromise to try to find a middle ground; but I suspect it will please only the 'Proms-in-the Park' type of audience

I've only just seen your post, Smittims - excellently put.

[Pulcinella]

An article from JEG in today's Times:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/john-eliot-gardiner-the-king-poured-us-gin-and-tonics-and-we-went-through-the-service-wj0m9x62k?shareToken=47b55f78301889b71918a910d255f972

[smittims]

I see JEG is on Radio3 quite a lot this week and next. Is it his birthday or something? It happened also about ten years ago, I recall. Granted, we aren't as deluged with him as we are with Michael Parkinson et al, but other conductors are available.