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  • History / Coronations at the Abbey / Spotlight on coronations / Music
    • History of Westminster Abbey
    • Coronations at the Abbey
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      • Spotlight on coronations
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        • The Liber Regalis
        • Order of Service
        • Coronation Chair
        • Ampulla and spoon
        • Music
        • Royal regalia
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      • Coronation stories
      • A history of coronations
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    • Explore our History
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      • Abbey gardens
        • Features of College Garden
      • Abbey in Wartime
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      • Benedictine monastery
      • Britain's Oldest Door
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      • Cheyneygates
      • The Cloisters
      • College Hall
      • The Coronation Chair
      • Cosmati Pavement
      • Crib
      • Funeral and wax effigies
      • High Altar
      • Icons at Westminster Abbey
      • Jerusalem Chamber
      • Lady Chapel
      • Misericords
      • Modern Martyrs
      • Nave
      • Oil paintings
      • Order of the Bath
      • Poets’ Corner
        • Poet Laureates
      • Processional banners
      • Pyx Chamber
      • The Queen Elizabeth II window
      • The Quire
      • RAF Chapel
      • Retable
      • Royal tombs
      • Stained Glass
      • Statesmen's Aisle
      • Vestments and frontals
      • Wall paintings
      • A joyful noise: the bells of Westminster Abbey
      • The Wedding of William and Kate
      • Celebrating the Commonwealth
      • Buried among the kings
      • Celebrating St Edward
      • Battle of Britain 80th
      • The Nation's Memory
      • VE Day
      • ANZAC Day
      • Thomas Brock 100th anniversary
      • A History of Royal Burials and Funerals
      • A reflection for Holy Week
      • Me and Mr Bennett
      • Portrait of a Dean
      • Bronte versus Brontë
      • The Abbey at War
  1. Home
  2. History
  3. Coronations at the Abbey
  4. Spotlight on coronations
Photograph looking up at the organ in Westminster Abbey, representing music at coronations

Spotlight on coronations

Music

Uncover the role and significance of traditional and commissioned music within coronations throughout history.

Why is music integral to coronations? Watch Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, describe its purpose within the service in this short introduction.

Photograph of the pipes of the organ, surrounded by the arches of the nave, within Westminster Abbey

Spotlight on coronations: Music

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Spotlight on coronations: Music

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Photograph looking down onto the orchestra and choirs who performed at HM King Charles III's coronation, with conductor Andrew Nethsingha in the middle of the image,

His Majesty The King's coronation

Under the direction of Andrew Nethsingha, Westminster Abbey's Organist and Master of the Choristers, tradition sat side-by-side with innovation. The choirs, for the first time featuring girls, sang in English, Welsh, Gaelic and Irish. New compositions include a variety of performances, including Gospel music.

© Press Association

 

Music has been incorporated in Christian worship for many hundreds of years. This is echoed at a coronation service, in which the music plays a central role. Most of the music sung within the service is sacred and uses Biblical texts.

In spite of the significance of the occasion, there is uncertainty surrounding the pieces of music performed at each coronation before it was clearly documented from the 20th century. Along with surviving musical scores, past orders of service provide the most accurate information about the music that was played and sung.

Since the 20th century, the music has been selected and coordinated by Westminster Abbey’s Organist and Master of the Choristers. In 1953, this responsibility fell to Sir William McKie, who directed a choir of many hundreds, singing from specially constructed galleries. Traditionally the coronation choir has been supported by military musicians, an orchestra and the Abbey’s organ.

Photograph of the conductor's copy of Zadok the Priest used within Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 at Westminster Abbey

Look closer

Examine the 1953 conductor’s score of Zadok the Priest.

Photograph of the conductor's copy of Zadok the Priest used within Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 at Westminster Abbey

Look closer

Examine the 1953 conductor’s score of Zadok the Priest.

The traditions of coronations are upheld through many of the musical choices. Since King Charles I’s coronation in 1626, monarchs have entered the Abbey to words from Psalm 122: "I was glad when they said unto me, we will go into the house of the Lord". Anthems by Henry Purcell and Sir Hubert Parry are much cherished examples. At the end of the service, the National Anthem has been sung since King George IV’s coronation in 1821, adapted only to swap the words King and Queen, as applicable.

One of the most famous pieces of music associated with coronations is George Frideric Handel’s Zadok the Priest. The text of Zadok the Priest is taken from the first Book of Kings (1:38-48) in the Bible, which describes the anointing of King Solomon. These words have been included at every coronation since King Edgar’s in 973AD, and since its composition in 1727, Handel’s work has been performed. Beyond coronations, it has featured at countless services and concerts, and is familiar to many as the inspiration for the UEFA Champions League Anthem.

Coronations present an opportunity to commission new music, often reflecting the musical style of the age. This was the case with Handel in 1727, as it was with Parry in 1902 and Sir William Walton in 1953, who wrote the march Orb and Sceptre for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Colourful illustration of the Recognition at King George IV's coronation. The coronation chair is in the centre, surrounded by members of clergy and the congregation seated in large stands within Westminster Abbey.
Photograph of the replica royal regalia, including two crowns, an orb and sceptres displayed in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey
Photograph from above of the coronation theatre, including the Cosmati Pavement, the High Altar, the top of the pulpit and an area with seating.
Photograph of two pages of the Liber Regalis, the guide to the coronations, on display at Westminster Abbey. The left illumination shows a king being crowned, surrounded by members of the clergy, while the right side shows a page of medieval Latin writing with an illustrative border.
Photograph of multiple Coronation Order of Services at Westminster Abbey
Photograph of the Coronation Chair in St George's Chapel in Westminster Abbey
Photograph of replica ampulla, an eagle shaped container within the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey
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An introduction

Spotlight on coronations

An introduction

Let’s start with the basics. What happens at a coronation and why do they take place at Westminster Abbey? Watch this short introduction to coronations to get you up to speed.

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Royal regalia

Spotlight on coronations

Royal regalia

Which objects feature in a coronation service? Watch Dr Tony Trowles, Head of Abbey Collection and Librarian, explain how the replica regalia are used in coronation rehearsals.

Find out more

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Coronation Theatre

Spotlight on coronations

Coronation Theatre

Where exactly in Westminster Abbey do coronations take place? Watch Vanessa Simeoni, Head Conservator, explain the space that becomes the coronation theatre in this short introduction.

Find out more

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The Liber Regalis

Spotlight on coronations

The Liber Regalis

How do we know what a medieval coronation would have looked like? Watch Dr Matthew Payne, Keeper of the Muniments, uncover what we know, and don’t know, about the Liber Regalis.

Find out more

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Order of Service

Spotlight on coronations

Order of Service

How do the congregation know what will happen during coronations? Watch The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor, describe why the order of service is so important.

Find out more

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Coronation Chair

Spotlight on coronations

Coronation Chair

Why does it matter where the monarch sits during their coronation? Watch Dr Susan Jenkins, Curator, unpack the historical and decorative features of this special chair.

Find out more

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Ampulla and spoon

Spotlight on coronations

Ampulla and spoon

What is significant about an ampulla and spoon? Watch The Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian and Almoner, explain the most symbolic and sacred part of the coronation.

Find out more

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