THE MUSIC FOR THE SERVICE

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11347, 9 August 1902, Page 7

THE MUSIC FOR THE SERVICE

The music selected will represent five centuries of the English Cathedral school. TaUis and Marbeck, stand for the 16th century; Orlando Gibbons and Purcell are worthy representatives of the 17-th. Handel's "Zadok the Priest" is, of course, a creation of the 18th, and this music has been sung at every Coronation since that of George H., for which It was written. In S. «. Wesley, Villiers Stanford, Stainer, and Sullivan the 19th century is well represented ; and new music for this Coronation is contributed) by Sir Hubert Parry, Sir Walter Parratt, and the director of the Coronation music, Sir Frederick Bridge. The necessity of shortening the very long ceremonial as much as possible has, of course, made it incumbent upon the director of the music to select compositions which combine dignity with brevity. In Stanford's Te Deum in B and Dr. Wesley's celebrated Creed in E these characteristics are found. Sir John Stainer's Gloria in Excelsis admirably fulfils the same conditions. The selection from Sullivan is but a short " Introit," but there was a general desire to include his name in the list.. Purcell's music is a remarkably beautiful movement from a Latin psalm, Jehovah guam multi, which has been adapted by Sir F. Bridge to the words, "Let my prayer come up into Thy presence.' Orlando Gibbons, organist of the Abbey in 1625, furnishes a beautiful five-part Amen with which the service closes. Sir Walter Parratt is setting a short Comfortare to be sung immediately after the crowning; and Sir Hubert Parry and Sir Frederick Bridge contribute respectively the entrance anthem, "I Was glad," and the homage anthem, "Kings shall see and arise." The choir will muster nearly 400, and will be drawn from all the principal choirs and musical institutions. The band will consist cf about 70 performers, including the King's band, which will, of course, be on duty. Mr Alcock, assistant organist of Westminster Abbey and organist of the Chapel Royal, St. James's, will be at the organ. Sir Walter Parratt will assist Sir Frederick Bridge in the laborious task of conducting the various marches before and after the service, and will, no doubt, also conduct his own composition. The fanfares will be played by a force of twelve trumpets (including eight players selected from Kneller Hall, the Training School for Military Bandmasters), together with trombones and drums. This force will be on the organ screen, as well as rest of tha band, and will be under the' control of Sir Frederick Bridge. The following is the order of the music for the service. Processional Anthem, "I was glad" Sir H. Parry The Litany •._;..• ' _ ?v llis Introit, "O Hearken Thou" . . Sullivan Credo . . • • • -Wesley Veni Creator . . Ancient Plainsong Anthem, "Zadok the Priest" . . Handel Comfortare (after the crowning) Sir W. Parratt T© Deum Stamford Homage Anthem, "Kings shall see" Sir F. Bridge Offertorium, "Let my Prayer" . Puf^ Suranm Oorda • „' , : * M J\ rl ? eck Sanctns and Gloria in Excelsis . Stainer Final Amen . • • Orlando Gibbons