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
- History
- Crown the King
- a The Queen b Daughter of ancient Kings
- Britain ask of thyself
- a Hark upon the hallowed air b Only let the heart be pure
- Peace gentle peace
- Land of hope and glory
- Recordings
- References
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 chorusHistory
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:
"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)