Format Vinyl Genre Classical music Writer(s) Henry Carey | Recorded 1962 Label Decca | |
The National Anthem is a 1962 choral and orchestral arrangement of God Save the Queen by Benjamin Britten. The arrangement has been described as an "extraordinary progression from pianissimo prayer to pealing, overlapping choral fortissimo". It was performed in 1971 for Queen Elizabeth II at the reopening following fire of the inaugural Aldeburgh Festival followed by Britten's overture The Building of the House.
Release
The arrangement was released by Decca both as a single (45-71146) and as 45 EP (SEC 5119) 1962, Track A1: Benjamin Britten, L.S.O. And Chorus - The National Anthem, Arranger Britten, Track A2: "Air" of Bach's Orchestral Suite No.3 in D Major, Sir Adrian Boult, with the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden B1 Granville Bantock's arrangement of Bach's Cantata No.208 Sheep May Safely Graze Was Mir Behagt. then B2 "Purcell's" Trumpet Voluntary (now known to be by Clarke) conducted by Kenneth Alwyn, London Symphony Orchestra.