Andrew Lloyd Webber, the English composer who created the soundtracks of highly successful musicals such as cats, The Phantom of the Opera AND Avoidis the author of the hymn for the coronation of King Carlos III, adapting a church piece that encourages singers to make a “happy noise”.
Webber’s work is part of a dozen new pieces the monarch has commissioned for the grand occasion, which takes place on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. It includes words adapted from Psalm 98 and is written especially for the abbey choir and organ.
“I hope my anthem reflects this joyous occasion,” Webber said in a statement distributed by Buckingham Palace.
The program for the King’s coronation ceremony includes old music and new compositions, as the palace seeks to combine traditional and modern elements that reflect the reality of modern Britain. The new pieces were composed by artists with roots in the four constituent nations of the UK, as well as the Commonwealth and other countries.
The service will include works by William Byrd (1543-1623), George Frideric Handel (1685–1759), Edward Elgar (1857–1934), Henry Walford Davies (1869–1941), William Walton (1902–1983), Hubert Parry (1848–1918) AND Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958), whose music has appeared at previous coronationsalong with a piece by contemporary Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.
There will also be new work from Sarah Class, Nigel Hess, Paul Mealor, Tarik ORegan, Roxanna Panufnik, Shirley J. Thompson, Judith Weir, Roderick Williams and Debbie Wiseman.
“The decision of the fusion of old and new reflects the cultural breadth we live in,” explained Andrew Nethsingha, organist and choirmaster at Westminster Abbey.
“Coronations have taken place in Westminster Abbey since 1066. It has been a privilege to collaborate with Her Majesty in choosing excellent musicians and accessible and communicative music for this great occasion,” added Nethsingha.
The program will also include personal touches including a musical tribute to Charles’ late father, Prince Philip, born a Greek prince.
The new monarch has requested Greek Orthodox music, to be performed by the Byzantine Song Ensemble. will also include Zadok the priest by Handel. The anthem, with its robust refrain of God save the kingit has been rung at every coronation since it was commissioned for the accession of King George II in 1727.
the end of an era
And speaking of Webber, the joy of having distinguished himself with the new royalist commission contrasts -obviously- with a farewell that undoubtedly marks what is known as the “end of the era”.
his famous musical The Phantom of the Operathe longest running show in Broadway history, with 35 years on stagethe curtain will fall shortly, as he has been unable to recover from the collateral blow of the pandemic
The show was a victim of the US theater crisis, overwhelmed by the 2020-2021 lockdowns and which find it very difficult to attract the public after the Covid-19.
After 35 years of presentations, the most successful work of the king of musicals, Andrew Lloyd Webber, is about to fall the curtain in New York.
Source: Clarin
