The best-known of the four coronation anthems written by Handel for the coronation of George II at Westminster Abbey in 1727; it has been sung at every British coronation since.
| Music Encyclopedia: Zadok the Priest |
The best-known of the four coronation anthems written by Handel for the coronation of George II at Westminster Abbey in 1727; it has been sung at every British coronation since.
| Wikipedia: Zadok the Priest |
Zadok the Priest (HWV 258) is a coronation anthem composed by George Frideric Handel using texts from the King James Bible. It is one of the four Coronation Anthems that Handel composed for the coronation of George II of Great Britain in 1727,[Note 1] and has been sung at every subsequent British coronation service. It is traditionally performed during the sovereign's anointing.
Contents |
Although they have been part of the traditional content of British coronations, the texts for all four anthems were picked by Handel himself—much to the consternation of the participating clergy.[citation needed] It is believed[by whom?] that Handel made a personal selection from the most accessible account of an earlier coronation, that of James II of England in 1685. The text is derived from the biblical account of the anointing of Solomon. These words have been used in every English coronation since that of King Edgar at Bath Abbey in 973.[1]
After 1 Kings 1:38–40
Zadok the Priest is written for SS-AA-T-BB chorus and orchestra (two oboes, two bassoons, three trumpets, timpani, strings, continuo). The music prepares a surprise in its orchestral introduction, through the use of static layering of soft string textures, followed by a sudden rousing forte tutti entrance, augmented by three trumpets.
The middle section "And all the people rejoic'd, and said" is an imitatory dance in 3/4 time, mainly with the choir singing chordally and a dotted rhythm in the strings.
The final section "God save the King, etc" is a return to common time (4/4), with the "God Save the King" section heard chordally, interspersed with the Amens incorporating long semiquaver runs which are taken in turn through the six voice parts (SAATBB) with the other parts singing quaver chords accompanying it. The chorus ends with a largo plagal cadence on "Alleluia".
|
|
Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (October 2009) |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
| Nathan (in the Old Testament) | |
| George Frideric Handel (Composer) | |
| Henry Lawes |
| How does a priest address another priest? Read answer... | |
| Where do priests get their powers? Read answer... | |
| Who is the priest at the gurdwara? Read answer... |
| What are medieval priests? | |
| What does a priest wear? | |
| What are the rules for a priest? |
Copyrights:
![]() | Music Encyclopedia. The Concise Grove Dictionary of Music. Copyright © 1994 by Oxford University Press, Inc.. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Zadok the Priest". Read more |
Mentioned in