The Official Album of The Coronation: The Service

This historic recording captures in spectacular sound the first coronation of a British monarch in 70 years. Accompanied by a feast of choral, orchestral and organ music, including no fewer than 12 commissions from leading composers, Charles III was crowned King. The service begins with a fanfare played by The State Trumpeters of the Household Calvary before Charles Hubert Parry’s noble anthem, I Was Glad, composed for the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, and also heard at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 (complete with “Vivats”). The service then continues, from The Recognition through readings and prayers to the Crowning itself, all interspersed with choral works ancient and modern, many specially commissioned for the occasion. Composers include Paul Mealor, Tarik O’Regan, Roxanna Panufnik, Debbie Wiseman and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The choral forces involved are extraordinary, and include the Choir of Westminster Abbey, the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, choristers from Truro Cathedral Choir, choristers from the Chapel Choir of Methodist College Belfast, the Monteverdi Choir, the Ascension Choir, and the Byzantine Chant Ensemble. The service concludes with Elgar’s rousing Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4, plus works by Parry and Byrd, performed by the Coronation Orchestra and organist Peter Holder. It's hard to imagine a more moving and fitting ceremony to mark the new monarch—an event to linger long in the memory and a tribute to all the incredible musicians involved.