Music For The Queen's Coronation - Harrogate International Festival

Sixty-nine years ago, on 2 June 1953, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in a service that followed the main liturgical forms used at previous coronations in the twentieth century.

This Friday, as part of the Harrogate International Festival, the Armonico Consort & Baroque Players are celebrating the Platinum Jubilee by performing music from the Coronation service.

The great majestic Parry anthem I was glad will feature alongside other classics. Parry’s stirring anthem has been sung at four successive coronations: Edward VII, George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II. It incorporates the traditional shouts of 'Vivat' from the Westminster Scholars. It is a staple of the Coronation as is Handel’s popular Zadok The Priest, the only composition to have attained a permanent place, hallowed by tradition going back to the Coronation of King George II for which it was written to be sung during the Anointing. Perhaps it is the more popular of the four coronation anthems.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams’ birth and the Armonico Consort will perform part of the a capella Mass in G minor as well as the often heard and short anthem O Taste and See. Vaughan Williams was a fantastic arranger of music and his version of the Old 100th All people that on earth do dwell will certainly please.

For lovers of the English choral tradition, Howells’ Behold O God our defender which the composer orchestrated for the Coronation, Wesley’s beautiful Thou wilt keep him and Dyson’s Confortare: Be strong and Stanford’s magnificent Gloria from the Festal Communion Service will be performed.

Also on the programme is Walton’s Coronation Te Deum with its wonderful brassy fanfare section which will add to the excitement.

The Armonico Consort, formed in 2001 by Christopher Monks, will be reviving one of the most epic days of the 20th century in the wonderful setting of St Wilfrid’s Church with Nicholas Owen, former Royal Correspondent for ITV News, narrating.