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Coronation Ode

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Coronation Ode, Op. 44 is a work composed by Edward Elgar for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, with words by A. C. Benson.

Contents

It was written for the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902, and dedicated "by Special Permission, to His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward VII". But the Coronation was postponed due to the King being ill, so the first performance was not until 2 October 1902 at the Sheffield Festival, by the Sheffield Choir, soloists Agnes Nicholls, Muriel Foster, John Coates and David Ffrangcon Davies, with Elgar conducting. The first London performance was at Covent Garden on 26 October 1902.

There are six parts:

I – Introduction: "Crown the King", for soloists and chorusII – (a) "The Queen", for chorus; (b) "Daughter of ancient Kings", for chorusIII – "Britain, ask of thyself", for bass soloist and men's chorusIV – (a) "Hark upon the hallowed air" for soprano and tenor soloists, followed by (b) "Only let the heart be pure", for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloistsV – "Peace, gentle peace", for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloists and chorus unaccompaniedVI – Finale: "Land of hope and glory", contralto soloist, with chorus

History

Queen Victoria died in January 1901 and preparations for the coronation of her son King Edward VII were soon under way. Late that year the Covent Garden Grand Opera Syndicate commissioned Elgar to write a work to be premiered at a Royal gala on the eve of the Coronation which was planned for July of the next year. Elgar himself invited A. C. Benson (perhaps at the instance of the King) to provide the libretto: Benson was a musician as well as a writer, and the collaboration was close and successful.

The King suggested to Elgar that words could be provided to the Trio section of the first Pomp and Circumstance March, which he liked: Elgar took up the King's suggestion and asked Benson to provide words so that the tune could form the climax of the Ode.

Elgar began writing in February 1902 and by the end of March he had finished the vocal score, which at that time consisted of parts I, III, IV, V and VI. Benson then realised that there needed to be a song referring to Queen Alexandra, and added "Daughter of ancient Kings" which Elgar reluctantly placed after "Crown the King", as he had wanted to follow that with "Britain, ask of thyself".

The publishers, Booseys, realising its popularity, asked Elgar to revise "Land of hope and glory" so it could be produced as a separate song, and this was in fact sung by Clara Butt with great success at a "Coronation Concert" a week before the Ode was first performed in London.

The work was published for five royal occasions:

  • the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 – "Daughter of ancient Kings", personal to Queen Alexandra, was only used for this occasion – used parts I, II (b), III, IV (a & b), V and VI
  • the Coronation of King George V in 1911 – "The Queen" replaced "Daughter of ancient Kings", and the prayer "Peace, gentle peace" was (ominously) omitted – used parts I, II (a), III, IV (a & b) and VI
  • the Jubilee Edition for King George V in 1935 used parts I, II (a), IV (a & b) and VI only
  • the Coronation of King George VI in 1937 used parts I, II (a), IV (b) and VI only
  • the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 – "Crown the King" became "Crown the Queen" – used parts I, II (a & b), III, IV (a & b) and VI only
  • "Crown the King"

    I – "Crown the King" – Introduction Soloists and Chorus

    (a) "The Queen" (b) "Daughter of ancient Kings"

    II – (a) "The Queen"Chorus


    II – (b) "Daughter of ancient Kings"Chorus "A Greeting to Her Gracious Majesty, Queen Alexandra"

    "Britain, ask of thyself"

    III "Britain, ask of thyself"Solo Bass and Chorus (Tenor and Bass)

    (a) "Hark, upon the hallowed air" (b) "Only let the heart be pure"

    IV (a) "Hark, upon the hallowed air"Soli (Soprano and Tenor)


    IV (b) "Only let the heart be pure"Quartet (S.A.T.B.)

    "Peace, gentle peace"

    V "Peace, gentle peace"Soli (S.A.T.B.) and Chorus unaccompanied

    "Land of hope and glory"

    VI – "Land of hope and glory" – Finale (Contralto Solo and Tutti)

    Recordings

  • Teresa Cahill (soprano), Anne Collins (contralto), Anthony Rolfe-Johnson (tenor), Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Choir, Sir Alexander Gibson (conductor). Chandos CHAN 6574
  • Dame Felicity Lott (soprano), Alfreda Hodgson (contralto), Richard Morton (tenor), Stephen Roberts (bass), Cambridge University Musical Society, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Band of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall conducted by Sir Philip Ledger, recorded at Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, February 1977 EMI CLASSICS 5 85148 2
  • References

    Coronation Ode Wikipedia


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