Zadok the Priest

Zadok the Priest (HWV 258) is a coronation anthem composed by George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) using texts from the King James Bible. It is one of the four Coronation Anthems that Handel composed for the coronation of George II of Great Britain in 1727.^[1] and has been sung at every subsequent British coronation service. It is traditionally performed during the sovereign's anointing.

Text

Although they have been part of the traditional content of British coronations, the texts for all four anthems were picked by Handel himself — much to the consternation of the participating clergy. It is believed that Handel made a personal selection from the most accessible account of an earlier coronation, that of James II of England in 1685. Though the text derives from the biblical account of the anointing of Solomon, it is not a direct quote, but a paraphrase, possibly by the composer himself.

Full text

After 1 Kings 1:38–40

Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon King.

And all the people rejoic'd, and said:

God save the King, long live the King, may the King live for ever!

Amen Hallelujah!

Structure

Zadok the Priest is written for SS-AA-T-BB chorus and orchestra (two oboes, two bassoons, three trumpets, timpani, strings, continuo). The music builds up tension in its orchestral introduction, by layering semiquavers and quavers together, and then — when the choir comes in — a sense of drama by having the choir sing in the longer notes of crotchets and minims. The middle section "And all the people rejoic'd, and said" is an imitatory dance in 3/4 time, mainly with the choir singing chordally and a dotted rhythm in the strings. The final section "God save the King, etc" is a return to common time (4/4), with the "God Save the King" section heard chordally, interspersed with the Amens incorporating long semiquaver runs which are taken in turn through the six voice parts (SAATBB) with the other parts singing quaver chords accompanying it. The chorus ends with a largo Baroque cadence on "Alleluia".

Other uses

• The UEFA Champions League Anthem, which introduces worldwide television coverage of the event and is played during pre-game ceremonies at each match, is based on this composition. It is regularly (sometimes daily) played by request on 'popular classics' radio stations in the UK such as Classic FM.
• Miss Mary Elizabeth Donaldson used this piece when she walked down the aisle to her wedding with Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at Copenhagen Cathedral on 14 May 2004.
• The music is used ironically in the film of Alan Bennett's play The Madness of King George, in the scene in which he is first restrained and over the closing credits. (The track is called He Will Be Restrained on the soundtrack CD.)
• Used in P&O cruises' adverts and commercials on television.
• Used in the climactic scene in the Australian movie Crackerjack to dramatically highlight a lawn bowl as it rolled down the green in slow motion.

Notes

External links

• Free scores of this work in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
• The Coronation of King George II: sleeve notes from Hyperion recording (login required)