According to a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully today at Balmoral Castle, her estate in the Scottish Highlands, with her family around her. She was 96 years-old.
Elizabeth reigned as Queen of England from 1953. In 2015, she became the country’s longest-reigning monarch. She lived to see the massive celebrations in honor of her 70th year on the throne, held only this past June. Now Charles is King.
Under the circumstances, it doesn’t seem appropriate to link a bunch of festive coronation marches. Instead, here’s Herbert Howells’ “Behold O God Our Defender,” composed on Christmas Day, 1952, also for Elizabeth’s coronation.
“When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”
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
Does life begin at 90? I don’t know about that, but in today’s classical music world, it’s probably safe to say that 90 is the new 70. Two days after the 90th birthday of composer Carlisle Floyd, whose opera “Prince of Players” was given its premiere by Houston Grand Opera in March, I stumbled across this piece on classical-music.com:
Curiously the impetus was Queen Elizabeth II, rather than Floyd, whose birthday fell on the very day the article was posted. The composer is conspicuously absent from the list. You can read more about Floyd in my June 11 Facebook entry, which wasn’t ready until Saturday evening and therefore may have escaped your attention.
Sadly, Phyllis Curtin, who created the title role of Floyd’s “Susannah” in 1956, propelling the 29 year-old composer to fame, died on June 5 at the age of 94.
