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King Charles III: Music for His Coronation

Coronation music for King Charles III

Six pieces composed especially for the coronation will be performed before the King and Queen enter the abbey:

  1. A short orchestral overture, Brighter Visions Shine Afar, by Judith Weir, 1954-  Master of The King’s Music.
    Appointed under Queen Elizabeth, she is the first woman to hold this title. Versatile and prolific, she has composed in many different genres. Her style has been described as fairly conservative.
  2. Tros y Garreg (Crossing the Stone), by Karl Jenkins, 1944-  a new arrangement for harp and strings of Jenkins’ setting of a Welsh folk song.
    Originally known for jazz and rock, this Welsh composer later transitioned and has become world-famous for his classical music. His Benedictus is perhaps his best-known work.
  3. Sacred Fire by Sarah Class, 1979- 
    A composer of film music and classical music, Class has written music for many TV documentaries, especially ones dealing with nature and the environment.
  4. Orchestral interpretations of the hymn “Be Thou My Vision,” one of the King’s favorite hymns, by three different composers:
    • Nigel Hess, 1953-  Best known for TV and film soundtracks, Hess has provided music for many other royal occasions. He has written much concert music for band and orchestra.
    • Roderick Williams, 1965-  Williams was born of a Welsh father and Jamaican mother. A baritone, he has achieved considerable fame as a classical singer, but has recently also become active as a composer. His works are now published by Edition Peters.
    • Shirley J. Thompson, 1958-  An innovative English composer of Jamaican descent, Thompson has composed in a variety of genres and has achieved world-wide renown. She is also a distinguished conductor. Her New Nation Rising was commissioned to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee in 2002.
  5. Voices of the World for organ, by Iain Farrington, 1977-
    Farrington is a British pianist, organist, composer, and arranger. A versatile composer, he is especially known  for an orchestral work based on all of Beethoven’s nine symphonies.
  6. King Charles III Coronation March by Patrick Doyle, 1953-
    Patrick Doyle, 1953-  A Scottish composer, he is best known for his film scores. He has been a personal and professional friend of King Charles since 1988, when he met him after he conducted a performance of his music at Kenneth Branagh’s production of 12th Night.