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.
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[edit] Text
Although part of the traditional content of British coronations, the texts for all four anthems were picked by Handel—a personal selection from the most accessible account of an earlier coronation—for that of James II of England in 1685.[1] 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.[2]
[edit] Full text
After 1 Kings 1:38–40
- Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon King.
- And all the people rejoic'd, and said:
- God save the King! Long live the King!
- May the King live for ever,
- Amen, Allelujah.
[edit] Structure
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 "Allelujah".
[edit] Other uses
- The UEFA Champions League Anthem, which introduces worldwide television coverage of the event and is played during pre-game ceremonies at each match, is based on this composition. It is regularly (sometimes daily) played by request on 'popular classics' radio stations in the UK such as Classic FM.
- Used in royal weddings, including that of Mary Elizabeth Donaldson to Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
- Heard on television coverage of the coronation of Elizabeth II in the film Prick Up Your Ears, coinciding with the first sexual encounter between playwright Joe Orton (played by Gary Oldman) and his lover Kenneth Halliwell (Alfred Molina).
- Used in the climactic scene in the Australian movie Crackerjack to dramatically highlight a lawn bowl as it rolled down the green in slow motion.
- Used in the coronation scene of the 2003 film Johnny English.
- Used during the final dramatic scene of the 2005 film Breakfast on Pluto.
- Used in the coronation scene of Queen Victoria in the 2009 film The Young Victoria.
- Used during the Papal Coronation of Alexander VI on the Showtime series The Borgias.
[edit] Notes
- ^ The other Coronation Anthems Handel composed are: The King Shall Rejoice, My Heart is Inditing and Let thy Hand be Strengthened.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.classicalarchives.com/work/11746.html#tvf=tracks&tv=about
- ^ "Guide to the Coronation Service", Westminster Abbey website (London, U.K.: Dean and Chapter of Westminster), 2009, http://www.westminster-abbey.org/our-history/royals/coronations/guide-to-the-coronation-service, retrieved 2009-08-20, "Meanwhile the choir sings the anthem Zadok the Priest, the words of which (from the first Book of Kings) have been sung at every coronation since King Edgar’s in 973. Since the coronation of George II in 1727 the setting by Handel has always been used."
[edit] External links
- Coronation Anthems: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project.
- Free scores of this work in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
- The Coronation of King George II: sleeve notes from Hyperion recording (login required)
