Coronation Ode , Op. 44 is a work composed by Edward Elgar for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, with words by A. C. Benson .
61-766: It was written for the Coronation of King Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark in 1902, and dedicated "by Special Permission, to His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward VII", but the Coronation was postponed due to the King's sudden illness. The first performance was not until 2 October 1902 at the Sheffield Festival, by the Sheffield Choir, soloists Agnes Nicholls , Muriel Foster , John Coates and David Ffrangcon Davies , with Elgar conducting. The parts are inscribed "Composed for
122-525: A colleague enquired after his well-being, he was told to "go away!" in a loud voice that was plainly heard by the congregation. The King also deviated from the order of service; when the Prince of Wales touched the Crown and kissed his father's left cheek in the traditional gesture of homage, the King rose to his feet and threw his arms around his son's neck in an unusual display of affection. Another disruption came from
183-464: A group of appellate opinions in English law cases, all arising out of contracts that had been made for accommodation for viewing the celebrations surrounding the coronation originally scheduled for 26 June 1902. Many owners of buildings along the coronation procession route had rented their front rooms to others who hoped to guarantee themselves a view of the procession, or rented out boats from which to watch
244-437: A holy gem, Stars of solemn brightness, weave thy diadem. Chorus 'Tho thy way be darken'd, still in splendour drest, As the star that trembles o'er the liquid West. Thron'd amid
305-570: A mighty nation maketh glad reply; Lo, our lips are thankful; lo, our hearts are high! Hearts in hope uplifted, loyal lips that sing; Strong in Faith and Freedom, we have crowned our King! The third line, previously "How may we extol thee,"
366-557: A table in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace, to drain his abdominal cyst. On 26 June itself, a "solemn service of intercession" was held at St Paul's Cathedral , which was attended by many of the British and foreign dignitaries who were in London for the coronation. Although workmen immediately received instructions to begin dismantling the wooden stands that had been erected along the route of
427-413: A tin of chocolate and a rather better one for the 60,000 people who had acted as stewards on the grounds that they would "be of greater influence socially than the poor". Many people had intended to watch the coronation procession, and rooms along the planned route had been rented out at high rates for the expected day of the coronation. The postponement of the coronation led to many demands for refunds on
488-529: Is introduced by pairs of clarinets, bassoons, and horns plus strings; those instruments also accompany the solo quartet in the middle of the section. Queen Victoria died in January 1901 and preparations for the coronation of her son King Edward VII were soon under way. Late that year the Covent Garden Grand Opera Syndicate commissioned Elgar to write a work to be premiered at a Royal gala on
549-403: Is suffering from perityphlitis . The condition on Saturday was so satisfactory that it was hoped that with care His Majesty would be able to go through the Coronation ceremonies. On Monday evening a recrudescence became manifest, rendering a surgical operation necessary today". It was undersigned by, among others, Lord Lister and Sir Frederick Treves , who actually carried out the operation on
610-412: Is the first of our kings to be attended in his Coronation by an illustrious group of statesmen from our self-governing colonies, as he is the first to be accompanied by a number of the great feudatory Princes of India... They are bound to preserve the fabric of British polity and of British civilisation." The contents of the service itself had been carefully selected to ensure that its spiritual character
671-749: The British Army , the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines . A procession of carriages carried British and overseas dignitaries and was followed by the King's equerries , aides-de-camp and eminent commanders including Lord Kitchener , Lord Roberts and Lord Wolseley . The route of the procession, watched by a crowd estimated at one million, went from Parliament Square along Whitehall to Trafalgar Square , then along Pall Mall , St James's Street and Piccadilly to Hyde Park Corner , and finally down Constitution Hill . On their return to Buckingham Palace,
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#1732855669489732-560: The House of Worth of Paris . By the time of his accession, the 59-year-old Edward was overweight and fond of large meals and cigars. He launched himself into his new role, but his first busy months on the throne were bedevilled by a succession of illnesses and injuries. On 23 June 1902, three days before the date set for the coronation, Edward and his wife, Alexandra , returned from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace in preparation. Foreign journalists noted that he appeared "worn and pale" and
793-446: The King's Scholars of Westminster School on the entrance of the sovereign. It has been used at both coronations since. French composer Camille Saint-Saëns was also commissioned to write a work for the occasion, his Marche du Couronnement , opus 117, which, together with pieces by Tchaikovsky , Wagner and Gounod , was played as introductory music before the arrival of the king and was
854-559: The Koh-i-Noor diamond. On receiving his commission as Director of Music, it was made clear to Frederick Bridge that the coronation needed music of sufficient majesty and grandeur to make the event unparalleled in history. He was assisted by Sir Walter Parratt , the Master of the King's Music , who had the influence at court that Bridge lacked. Bridge decided to make the coronation a celebration of four hundred years of English music. Settings of
915-765: The Royal Albert Hall . It was organised by Lady Maud Warrender in aid of the Union Jack Club . The chorus was the 400-strong choir of the Leeds Choral Union, with the augmented Queen's Hall Orchestra conducted by Sir Henry Wood , and the Band of the Coldstream Guards . The Ode was conducted by Elgar. who was afterwards presented to the King. The soloists were Mme Albani , Clara Butt , Ben Davies and Andrew Black . The concert opened with Elgar's arrangement of God Save
976-505: The coronation of Queen Victoria , Edward's mother and predecessor, some 64 years earlier, Edward and Alexandra's coronation had been carefully planned as a spectacle reflecting the influence and culture of the British Empire , then at the height of its power, but also as a meaningful religious occasion. The 1838 coronation of Queen Victoria , Edward VII's mother and predecessor, had been an unrehearsed and somewhat lacklustre event in
1037-465: The Abbey, though the newly extended street procession and celebrations around the country had been a great success. Victoria's Golden and Diamond Jubilees had created the expectation that Edward's coronation equally would be an expression of the nation's status as a great imperial power. In December 1901, an Executive Coronation Committee was formed, whose leading member, Viscount Esher , worked closely with
1098-458: The Coronation, planned for 26 June, was cancelled only two days before due to the King suddenly being taken ill with appendicitis, which required an operation. The Ode was not performed in the royal presence until a year later, to mark the anniversary of the Coronation. It was the last item in a gala concert, in the presence of the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales, on 25 June 1903, at
1159-491: The Danish-born Queen Alexandra Daughter of ancient Kings in 1902 was unsuitable to refer to Queen Mary, and was replaced by a new chorus True Queen of British homes and hearts (called simply The Queen ) with lyric again by Arthur Benson. The other (ominous) change was the omission of Peace, gentle Peace which had been the preface to Land of hope and glory. There is a part for a military band. This
1220-470: The Grand Opera Syndicate, for the state performance at Covent Garden on June 30th, 1902" and the first London performance was at Covent Garden on 26 October 1902. The first performance attended by the King and Queen was almost a year later in London on 25 June 1903, at a concert organised by Lady Maud Warrender. The ode has six parts: In section V, the chorus performs unaccompanied, but the section
1281-476: The King for singers and orchestra. The publishers, Boosey & Co., realising its popularity, asked Elgar to revise Land of hope and glory so it could be produced as a separate song, and this was in fact sung by Clara Butt with great success at a "Coronation Concert" a week before the Ode was first performed in London. The Ode was used again for the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. The chorus for
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#17328556694891342-525: The King , as he had wanted to follow that with "Britain, ask of thyself" . In June of that year, Elgar prepared the Ode for a State performance, with a choir rehearsal in Sheffield followed by an orchestra (with military band) rehearsal in London at Covent Carden. He took Melba , Kirkby Lunn , Ben Davies and David Ffrangcon-Davies through their solo parts. But the planned performance on 30 June never took place, for
1403-573: The King and Queen appeared on the balcony to greet the crowds, which set a precedent for later coronations. A second procession, which had been planned for the day after the coronation service to tour the City of London and Southwark , was postponed until 25 October because of the King's health. Aside from the postponed procession, the final coronation event was the Review of the Fleet on 16 August at Spithead off
1464-415: The King be strong, Hating guile and wrong, He that scorneth pride. Fearing truth and right, Feareth nought beside; Crown the King with Might! Crown the King with Peace, Peace that suffers long, Peace that maketh strong, Peace with kindly wealth, As
1525-486: The King of Kings, Ruleth earthly things; God of great and small, Lord of Life and Death, God above us all! Crown the King with Faith! God shall save the King, God shall make him great, God shall guard the state; All that hearts can pray, All that lips can sing, God shall hear today; Crown
1586-487: The King to set the agenda for the event. Esher had been responsible for organising the Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and was one of the driving forces behind the renewed enthusiasm for royal ceremonial. The position of Director of Music was given to Sir Frederick Bridge , the organist and choirmaster at Westminster Abbey; the first Abbey organist since Henry Purcell to be given that role. Bridge had successfully transformed
1647-853: The King with Life with Might, with Peace, with Love, with Faith! God shall save the King, God shall make him great, God shall guard the state; All that hearts can pray, All that lips can sing, God shall hear today; God shall save the King! II – (a) "The Queen" – Chorus True Queen of British homes and hearts Of guileless faith and sterling worth, We yield you ere today departs, The proudest, purest crown on earth! We love you well for England's sake, True you shall prove, as you have proved; The years that come shall only make Your name more honoured, more belov'd. Oh kind and wise,
1708-482: The King's sister, Princess Beatrice , who accidentally (but noisily) dropped her service book from the royal gallery onto a gold-plate table. Because he was still convalescing, Edward had been crowned with the Imperial State Crown instead of the heavier St Edward's Crown . Alexandra was crowned immediately after her husband by William Dalrymple Maclagan , Archbishop of York , with a new crown containing
1769-481: The King's suggestion and asked Benson to provide words so that the tune could form the climax of the Ode . Elgar began writing in February 1902 and by the end of March he had finished the vocal score, which at that time consisted of parts I, III, IV, V and VI. Benson then realised that there needed to be a song referring to Queen Alexandra , and added Daughter of ancient Kings which Elgar reluctantly placed after Crown
1830-580: The Northern sea! Nothing so sweet he brings, Nothing so fair to see, Purest, stateliest, daughter of ancient Kings, Mother of Kings to be! III "Britain, ask of thyself" – Solo Bass and Chorus (Tenor and Bass) Britain, ask of thyself, and see that thy sons be strong, See that thy sons be strong, Strong to arise and go, See that thy sons be strong, See that thy navies speed, to
1891-468: The ardent tide of sense! So shall Wisdom, one with Truth, Keep undimm'd the fires of youth, Strong to conquer, strong to bless, Britain, Heaven hath made thee great! Courage knit with gentleness, Best befits thy sober state. As the golden days increase, Crown thy victories with peace! The last line, previously "Crown your victories with peace!",
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1952-452: The associated naval review. When the planned coronation was postponed until 9 August, the renters were not inclined to pay top prices—or pay at all—for rooms on an ordinary day (26 June). In general, the contracts were voided on the ground of frustration of purpose. Certain contracts which did not mention that the purpose was to view the coronation festivities were upheld. The Procession in State
2013-495: The beat of heav'nly wings. Soprano Magic web of woven hues, Tender shadow, linked line, Sweet mysterious avenues Opening out to Light Divine! Painter-poet, thou canst teach More than frail and falt'ring speech. IV (b) "Only let the heart be pure" – Quartet (S.A.T.B.) Only let the heart be pure, Pure in steadfast innocence, Stainless honour, strong and sure, Stem
2074-520: The billows, thron'd inviolate, Thou hast reign'd victorious, thou hast smil'd at fate. Soloists and Chorus Land of hope and glory, Fortress of the free, How shall we extol thee? praise thee, honour thee? Hark!
2135-485: The coast at Portsmouth . Without bringing a single warship back from any overseas station, the Royal Navy was able to muster 20 battleships , 24 cruisers and 47 destroyers . A number of foreign warships were invited to participate. An estimated crowd of 100,000 watched from the shore or from pleasure steamers and small boats at sea. Although there had been no less than seventeen fleet reviews during Victoria's reign, this
2196-679: The coronation "a domestic celebration of the British race united by the influence of the Imperial Crown" according to J. E. C. Bodley , the official historian of the event. Among the 8,000 guests at the Abbey were the prime ministers of the British Dominions , thirty-one rulers of the Indian princely states , the Sultan of Perak and the Litunga of Barotseland . The Times enthused that "King Edward
2257-407: The coronation texts composed by Thomas Tallis , Orlando Gibbons and Henry Purcell were included alongside works by contemporary composers such as Arthur Sullivan , Charles Villiers Stanford and John Stainer . New work commissioned for the occasion famously included Hubert Parry 's setting of Psalm 122 , I was glad which skillfully incorporated the traditional acclamation of "Vivat Rex" by
2318-514: The eve of the Coronation which was planned for June of the following year. Elgar himself invited A. C. Benson (perhaps at the instance of the King) to provide the libretto: Benson was a musician as well as a writer, and the collaboration was close and successful. The King suggested to Elgar that words could be provided to the Trio section of the first Pomp and Circumstance March , which he liked: Elgar took up
2379-604: The father to his children's arms Thou driest tenderly the mourner's tears, And all thy face is lit with holy light Our earth is fain for thee! Return and come. VI – "Land of hope and glory" – Finale (Contralto Solo and Tutti) Solo Land of hope and glory, Mother of the free, How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee? Truth and Right and Freedom, each
2440-617: The gown's design, with Alexandra stipulating only that the motifs should include the floral emblems of England, Scotland, and Ireland, being the English Tudor rose , the Scots' thistle , and the Irish shamrock . As Alexandra was to wear a heavy velvet and ermine mantle, it was decided that the gown itself should be made of lightweight gold net with metallic embroidery, the Zari of India of which Lady Curzon
2501-413: The heart is free, Ancient wrongs by thee forgiv'n, Cares uplifted, heal'd by thee, Listen smiling, borne along In the sacred, sacred tide of song. Tenor Music, music of the poet's heart! Widening yet the echoes roll; Fiery secrets, wing'd by art, Light the lonely list'ning soul, Till the aching silence rings With
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2562-454: The humblest heart That beats in all your realms today Knows well that it can claim its part In all you hope, in all you pray. II – (b) "Daughter of ancient Kings" – Chorus "A Greeting to Her Gracious Majesty, Queen Alexandra" Daughter of ancient Kings, Mother of Kings to be, Gift that the bright wind bore on his sparkling wings, Over
2623-438: The only music by foreign composers. The music was performed by a choir of 430, a 65-piece orchestra and 10 State Trumpeters. At the 1838 coronation, the organist had attempted to play the instrument and conduct at the same time, with the result that neither function was satisfactory. Bridge not only delegated the organ to Walter Alcock , but also used two sub-conductors, and furthermore alternated with Parratt in conducting from
2684-501: The procession, Edward was insistent that regional celebrations and a planned "Coronation Dinner for the Poor of London" should go ahead. Organised by Sir Thomas Lipton , 500,000 dinners were served to Londoners on 5 July at 800 locations around the capital. The King personally contributed £30,000 toward the cost and there were donations by commercial companies and wealthy individuals. The confectionery maker Rowntree's provided each diner with
2745-619: The quality of music at the Abbey and had directed the music at the Golden Jubilee, for which he had been made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order . Lady Curzon , wife of Lord Curzon of Kedleston , Viceroy of India , contributed the design of the Queen's coronation gown. Alexandra had personally asked Curzon to help her with the design in July 1901. Curzon was given a free hand to decide on
2806-500: The rental contracts, resulting in the " Coronation cases ", which set an important precedent in the doctrine of frustration of purpose in the English common law of contract. Edward also wrote a letter addressed to his people which was published on the eve of the coronation by the press. One effect of the postponement was the departure of the foreign delegations, which did not return for the rescheduled ceremony, leaving their countries to be represented by their ambassadors . This made
2867-491: The sound of the battle-song; Then, when the winds are up, and the shuddering bulwarks reel, Smite, the mountainous wave, and scatter the flying foam, Big with the battle-thunder that echoeth load, loud and long; Britain, ask of thyself, and see that thy sons be strong, See that thy sons be strong, Strong to arise and go, If ever
2928-481: The text of the service had to be printed in gigantic type onto rolls of paper called "prompt scrolls"; they are preserved in the Lambeth Palace Library . Archbishop Temple provided most of the upsets in an otherwise splendid ceremony; he was unable to rise after kneeling to pay homage and had to be helped up by the King himself and several bishops, he placed the crown back-to-front on the King's head, and when
2989-407: The top of the organ screen. The only real musical error was that Bridge misjudged the timing of I Was Glad and had finished the anthem before the King had arrived, having to repeat it when the right moment came. Bridge was saved by the organist, who improvised in the interim. The postponement of the coronation also led to litigation in the form of the Coronation cases . The Coronation cases were
3050-429: The war-trump peal! IV (a) "Hark, upon the hallowed air" – Soli (Soprano and Tenor) Tenor Hark, upon the hallow'd air, Spirits pure of sight and sense, Hov'ring visions, rich and fair, Lend their radiant influence! Airy powr's of Earth and Sky Bless our meet solemnity. Soprano Music, sweetest child of heav'n, At thy touch
3111-1016: The war-trump peal; See that thy squadrons haste, when loos'd are the hounds of hell; Then shall the eye flash fire, and the valourous heart grow light, Under the drifting smoke, and the scream of the flying shell, When the hillside hisses with death, and never a foe in sight. Britain, ask of thyself, and see that thy sons be strong. So shall thou rest in peace, enthron'd in thine island home. So shall thou rest in peace, Enthron'd in thine island home, So shall thou rest in peace, enthron'd in thine island home. Britain, ask of thyself, Britain, ask of thyself, see that thy sons be strong, Strong to arise, arise and go, see that thy sons be strong. See that thy sons be strong, Strong to arise and go, if ever
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#17328556694893172-430: The years increase, Nurse of joy and health; Crown the King with Peace! Crown the King with Love! To his land most dear He shall bend to hear Ev'ry pleading call; Loving God above, With a heart for all; Crown the King with Love! Crown the King with Faith! God,
3233-574: Was an admirer. However, it is not clear whether the gown or only its cloth was made in India. A gown made of the same material, and bearing motifs relevant to India, was made for Lady Curzon (whose husband was Viceroy of India at the time) to wear at the event held in Delhi to mark the coronation. Work on stitching Queen Alexandra's gown began in October 1901 and finished in February 1902, with final alterations made by
3294-559: Was changed for the 1911 edition. Coronation of Edward VII and Alexandra The coronation of Edward VII and his wife, Alexandra , as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions took place at Westminster Abbey , London, on 9 August 1902. Originally scheduled for 26 June of that year, the ceremony had been postponed at very short notice, because the King had been taken ill with an abdominal abscess that required immediate surgery . In contrast to
3355-411: Was changed for the 1911 edition. V "Peace, gentle peace" – Soli (S.A.T.B.) and Chorus unaccompanied Peace, gentle Peace, who, smiling through thy tears, Returnest, when the sounds of war are dumb ... Replenishing the bruised and broken earth, And lifting motherly her shattered form, When comest thou, Our brethren, long for thee Thou dost restore the darken'd light of home, Give back
3416-418: Was desired by Elgar: 'Edward made the tonic key E-flat: he wanted to add a military band to the orchestra and organ.' This is shown in the first edition of the complete score as a two-stave condensed score above which are written two staves for the band percussion. The band plays on occasions in sections I, III, and VI, only, including fanfares which are also cued in the orchestra parts where necessary. The work
3477-465: Was leaning heavily on his cane. That evening, the King and Queen hosted a formal dinner for seventy British and overseas royal guests. The following day at noon, a telegram marked "OFFICIAL" was dispatched around the Empire, with the news that the coronation was postponed and that the King was undergoing an operation. Shortly afterward, a bulletin was released from Edward's medical team, stating that "The King
3538-481: Was maintained, while keeping the ceremony as brief as possible. The draft was mainly the work of Randall Davidson , the Bishop of Winchester . The service was conducted by the elderly and infirm Archbishop of Canterbury , Frederick Temple , who died before the end of the year. He steadfastly refused to delegate any part of his duties and had to be supported throughout by two other bishops. Because of his failing eyesight,
3599-426: Was originally to have included military contingents from Germany , Austria-Hungary , Denmark , Russia and Portugal . However, following the postponement, these returned home, leaving the parade a wholly British and Imperial affair. Out of a total of 30,000 men marching or lining the route, over 2,000 were representatives of colonial, Dominion or Indian forces. The remainder represented every corps and regiment of
3660-442: Was published for five royal occasions: I – "Crown the King" – Introduction Soloists and Chorus Crown the King with Life! Through our thankful state Let the cries of hate Die in joy away; Cease ye sounds of strife! Lord of Life, we pray, Crown the King with Life! Crown the King with Might! Let
3721-517: Was the first to be associated with a coronation. On the morning of the review, the King had an audience aboard the royal yacht with three Boer commanders; Louis Botha , Christiaan de Wet and Koos de la Rey . This is remarkable because the Treaty of Vereeniging ending the bitterly fought Second Boer War had only been concluded on 31 May that year. On the following day, the King was well enough to watch fleet exercises at sea. Other descendants of
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