Exuberant and regal: Two of the world’s most noted Baroque orchestras, the English Concert and the Händelfestspielorchester Halle, played “Zadok the Priest” HWV 258 under the baton of Howard Arman as part of the Handel Celebration Concert on 14 April 2009. The performance took place in the spectacular Market Church of Halle, where Handel was baptized in 1685.
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) composed “Zadok the Priest” for the coronation of the British monarch George II and queen consort Caroline of Ansbach, in 1727. At the time of composition, Handel had already lived in London for over a decade, and he would remain there until his death in 1759. In February 1727, mere months before the coronation of George II, the German born Handel became a British citizen - a highly complicated process at the time, which demonstrates Handel’s commitment to the country.
“Zadok the Priest” is one of four anthems Handel composed for the coronation celebration in 1727. The work was first played for George II and has been performed at the coronation of every British monarch since then - most recently at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The text for “Zadok the Priest'' was picked by Handel himself. The composer is quoted to have said the following words upon receiving a text suggestion by the bishops: “I have read my Bible very well, and shall choose for myself”.
The opening of the piece is carried by a ceremonial and regal string section which gradually builds up, before finally bursting into a triumphant eruption of trumpets and a choir which sings:
“Zadok the Priest
And Nathan the Prophet
Anointed Solomon King”
The exuberant quality of the choir continues to develop over the following bars and eventually culminates in an ecstatically joyful “God save the King!” - highly fitting for the ceremonial setting it is usually performed in.
Artists:
The English Concert
Händelfestspielorchester Halle
MDR Rundfunkchor
Hallenser Madrigalisten
Händelfestspielchor
Chor der Oper Halle
Howard Arman, conductor
© EuroArts Music International
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