The Queen’s gone platinum! Elizabeth was crowned Queen of England on this date in 1953. In 2015, she became England’s longest-reigning monarch. Celebrations of her 70th year on the throne are underway.
Regardless of what one personally thinks of monarchy, the royals have been responsible for commissioning a rich diadem of music, from some of England’s most respected composers.
Here’s an Elizabeth miscellany. In the coronation marches, especially, you will hear a lot of John Williams. Vivat Regina Elizabetha!
Sir Edward Elgar, “Nursery Suite” (1930), dedicated to Princesses Margaret (newly born) and Elizabeth, and also to their mother, the Duchess of York. (Incidentally, today is also Elgar’s birthday!)
Eric Coates, “The Three Elizabeths” (1944): “Halcyon Days” (Elizabeth I), “Springtime in Angus” (The Queen Mother), and “Youth of Britain – The Princess Elizabeth”
Sir Arnold Bax, “Morning Song: Maytime in Sussex” (1946), for Princess Elizabeth’s 21st birthday
Sir Arthur Bliss, “Processional” (1953), performed before the Coronation Service
Sir William Walton, “Orb and Sceptre” (1953), also before the Coronation Service
Ralph Vaughan Williams, “O Taste and See” (1953), for the Coronation Service
Herbert Howells, “Behold O God Our Defender” (composed on Christmas Day, 1952), for the Coronation Service
Sir William Walton, “Coronation Anthem” (1953)
Sir Arnold Bax, “Coronation March” (1953), after the Coronation Service
Cedric Thorpe Davie, “Royal Mile, Coronation March” (1952)
Benjamin Britten, Courtly Dances from “Gloriana” (1953), opera first performed at the Royal Opera House during celebrations of the coronation
Sir Arthur Bliss, “Welcome the Queen” (1953), from a short film about the first year of Elizabeth’s reign
Malcolm Williamson, “Mass of the Feast of Christ the King” (1975-78), notoriously completed late for the 1977 Silver Jubilee
John Rutter, “Psalm 150” (2002), for the Golden Jubilee
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, “Naxos” Quartet No. 8 (2005), based on John Dowland’s “Queen Elizabeth’s Galliard,” for the Queen’s 80th birthday
Dame Judith Weir, first female Master of the Queen’s music, “I Love All Beauteous Things” (2016), for the Queen’s 90th birthday
Thomas Hewitt Jones, ”In Our Service” (2022), for the Platinum Jubilee