Music for the Coronation

[Pulcinella]

Richard Morrison's verdict (Sunday Times):

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/king-charles-coronation-music-spine-tingling-review-d7kq0vpxl?shareToken=263e6bd76e9df2c98b104dc9f97bdfc1

[Pulcinella]

Here we go! It's from 'Great King of Gods'. https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/...lando_Gibbons)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGrAPZdvCRE

I see that there are two similar sounding titles of pieces:

Great King of Gods

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/43768--gibbons-o-great-king-of-gods/browse

and
Great Lord of Lords

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/21886--gibbons-o-great-lord-of-lords/browse

Same piece, different text?

[cat]

A CD or download of the Coronation Music, sans chatter, would probably be a hot seller if it was produced right now. But I could foreee copyright/performing rights problems.

Decca have produced a CD already:

https://coronation.decca.com/products/the-coronation-of-their-majesties-king-charles-iii-and-queen-camilla-the-official-album-various-artists

[Master Jacques]

Two interesting contributions on the Coronation music on Radio 4 this Sunday morning. Simon Heffer's apposite comment that Parry's I was Glad "hit us like a sledgehammer" to remind us that we were in for something special, struck a chord with me too. I'd add that the poleaxe choral attack of Zadok the Priest had exactly the same effect, which only Walton's Te Deum of the later contributions came close to matching.

Even more interesting was Roxanna Panufnik's account of the precise stipulations of the commission for her Sanctus: it must last exactly two minutes, start in an air of mystery and build to a celebratory climax, be written for precise choral forces divided into no more than so many parts. The composer said that she found all this more helpful than looking at a blank sheet of music paper, and that she considered her job to be something like that of a tailor, making something beautiful from the materials on offer.

For what it's worth, I thought hers was the only new piece heard yesterday which was strong enough artistically to stand much chance of repetition: well-crafted, bold and surprising (as well as sweet) it showed off the craft of the modern composer much better than .... well, the task of filling up the blanks I'd rather leave to you!

[Cockney Sparrow]

I agree - they were ‘larger than life’. I heard that Pappano was conducting from the Organ Gallery but had assumed that his forces were below but were benefiting from some form of televisual link.

We watched on the iPlayer in the evening (we were travelling during the day).

Its been established, up thread, that the orchestra was in the loft with Pappano. I noticed the BBC coverage showed a screen with the choir displayed on it, beside Pappano. (Also the fanfare trumpeters of the RAF playing during (IIRC) I was glad - located in yet another location, high up - so some co-ordination must have been present there).

I need to watch it again to listen to the music, as last night I wasn't the arbiter of what was played or the volume. I thought I'd mention that the iPlayer does have "no commentary" versions of the three segments - Preparation, the Coronation, and the Celebration. (That means there is even less chance I would be tempted to add to Decca's sales......)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001lsyx/the-coronation-of-tm-the-king-and-queen-camilla-the-coronation

[edashtav]

I must listen to that piece having missed it live due to making a cuppa.

To quote the Daily Telegraph :

“Other pieces sung by the choir during the service were Kyrie eleison in a Welsh translation, with the eminent operatic
baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, composed by Paul Mealor – this was the first Welsh language performance ever at a Coronation. “

I’ve caught up with it. Phew - what a stentorian performance from the proud Welshman, Sir Bryn! (My bush telegraph had whispered that his voice had lost some of its command and lustre- stuff and nonsense!).

Yes, it was spine-tingling! However, how much of that impact was owed to The Singer and how little rested on Mealor’s lush score?

Subsequent performances by Parish Choirs may fall flat in comparison.

[hmvman]

..Yes, it was spine-tingling! However, how much of that impact was owed to The Singer and how little rested on Mealor’s lush score?

Subsequent performances by Parish Choirs may fall flat in comparison.

I think that's a good point. Much of the effect of the piece could perhaps be down to the circumstances, location and the forces employed yesterday.

[silvestrione]

Just listened again to Paul Mealor's Kyrie sung by Bryn Terfel and found it absolutely spine-tingling as I did this morning listening live.

Glad you've said that, I was beginning to think it was just me...completely overwhelming in the moment.

[silvestrione]

Though the musical highlight for me was the Byrd 'Gloria'. Amazing music, amazing diction! Byrd responsible for that as well as the singers, I think.

Yes, good to say that about 'I Was Glad'...felt the tears prickling there. And 'Zadok', and...well, practically all of it (in the actual service).

[Serial_Apologist]

For what it's worth, I thought hers [Roxanna Panufnik's} was the only new piece heard yesterday which was strong enough artistically to stand much chance of repetition: well-crafted, bold and surprising (as well as sweet) it showed off the craft of the modern composer much better than .... well, the task of filling up the blanks I'd rather leave to you!

We are in agreement there.

[Lordgeous]

A number of saturday's performances (audio) are already on YouTube. Found the Walton Te Deum there.

[Simon Biazeck]

I see that there are two similar sounding titles of pieces:

Great King of Gods

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/43768--gibbons-o-great-king-of-gods/browse

and
Great Lord of Lords

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/21886--gibbons-o-great-lord-of-lords/browse

Same piece, different text?

Yes, by the sounds of it.

[Old Grumpy]

I have been looking for the Decca streaming/download release which was anticipated in many media outlets at 6pm yesterday. Can't find it anywhere and nothing on Spotify. The only CIIIR/Camilla coronation 2023 item seems to be an inane mixtape-type playlist.

[muzzer]

I’m sure that board members here will have better taste than to be watching, but the Coronation Concert is comfortably the worst royal related event since It’s A Royal Knockout. Though someone may yet play their joker.

[Bryn]

I’m sure that board members here will have better taste than to be watching, but the Coronation Concert is comfortably the worst royal related event since It’s A Royal Knockout. Though someone may yet play their joker.

I am watching as loyally as I did yesterday's events.