Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Royal Music

Royal Music for the House of Windsor

Naturally, the death Queen Elizabeth II this week had me reflecting on all the music that was written for her. The coronation music alone could fill many hours, to say nothing of all the ceremonial and occasional pieces churned out over the course of her 70-year reign. It’s crazy to think that Sir Edward Elgar, so much an historical figure in our minds, wrote his “Nursery Suite” for then-Princess Elizabeth and her sister, Margaret.

Eric Coates. Sir Arnold Bax. Sir William Walton. Ralph Vaughan Williams. Herbert Howells. Sir Arthur Bliss. Sir William Walton. Benjamin Britten. Malcolm Williamson. Judith Weir. Many, many others, all wrote music for the Queen.

Be that as it may, this Sunday night on “The Lost Chord,” we’ll broaden our scope even further to listen to music written for the Royal Family.

We’ll hear the “Suite for the Birthday of Prince Charles” by Sir Michael Tippett, the “Naxos” Quartet No. 8, composed for the Queen’s 80th birthday by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, and “The Thistle and the Rose,” commissioned by Charles for the 90th birthday of the Queen Mother, by Patrick Doyle – a composer best known for his film scores, especially those for Kenneth Branagh.

This is a rebroadcast from 2009, so don’t be scandalized if you hear King Charles III referred to as “Prince Charles” or Maxwell Davies alluded to as the “current Master of the Queen’s Music.” (Max died in 2016.)

I hope you’ll join me for a diadem of music for the House of Windsor. That’s “Sounds Imperial,” this Sunday night at 10:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

September 11, 2022
Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee A Musical Celebration

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

June 2, 2022

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