Buckingham Palace has released more information about King Charles III’s Coronation on 6 May at Westminster Abbey. The composers, conductors, and performers who will fill the Abbey with music have been announced.
In keeping with his plan to modernise the Coronation Service, The King has commissioned twelve new pieces of music. There will be six orchestral pieces, five choral pieces, and one organ piece.
Sir Anthony Pappano, currently the Music Director for the Royal Opera House, has been charged with conducting the Coronation Orchestra. The orchestra is composed of musicians that have played in orchestras that fell under Charles’s patronage as Prince of Wales.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer behind the world-famous musicals The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Cats, has composed a new coronation anthem. Lloyd Webber explained, ”My anthem includes words slightly adapted from Psalm 98. I have scored it for the Westminster Abbey choir and organ, the ceremonial brass and orchestra. I hope my anthem reflects this joyful occasion.”
Patrick Doyle, the Scottish composer who has scored several films including Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and Brave (2012), has composed a new Coronation March. Doyle’s new composition draws on musical themes from several different Commonwealth nations.
The Royal Harpist, Ms Alis Huws, will be performing in the Coronation Orchestra, as well. Charles appointed Ms Huws as his official harpist as Prince of Wales in 2019. To emphasise the importance of his continued relationship with Wales, part of the liturgy will be performed in Welsh.
Several different choirs will be taking part in the Coronation Service. The Choir of Westminster Abbey, The Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, girl choristers from the Chapel Choir of Methodist College, Belfast and from Truro Cathedral Choir, The Ascension Choir, and The King’s Scholars of Westminster School will all be performing parts of the Service.
As a touching tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh, the Byzantine Chant Ensemble will perform Greek Orthodox music.
With more information about the Coronation Service being shared, it is clear to see that The King is working towards a more modern and inclusive coronation service.
