Music for Royal Occasions – OrganSpace

Royal coronations and weddings have taken place under the vaults of Stockholm Cathedral since the 14th century. One famous example is King Gustaf III, who for his own coronation in May 1772 did commission music from the Italian composer Francesco Antonio Uttini.

The history of coronation music dates back to the Middle Ages and includes fanfares, hymns, and marches. One of the most well-known examples is Handel’s coronation anthem “Zadok the Priest,” which has been sung at the coronation of every British monarch since George II, who was crowned king in 1727.

During Saturday’s concert, we will hear coronation music from various eras performed by the British organist Robert Quinney on the organ. Works by older masters such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Johan Helmich Roman, and Louis Marchand will be complemented with music by 20th-century composers Marcel Dupré, Maurice Duruflé, William Walton, and William McKie.

Robert Quinney, born in Nottingham, began playing the organ at the age of ten. He studied at King’s College, Cambridge, and has worked at Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. He performed at the wedding of the current Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011. Today, he leads the world-renowned choir at New College, Oxford, and makes frequent appearances as a conductor, particularly with the BBC Singers.

Programme
Johann Sebastian Bach Sinfonia ur Wir danken dir, Gott bwv 29
Johann Sebastian Bach Ricercare à 6 ur Ein Musikalisches Opfer
Louis Marchand Grand Dialogue du cinquième ton
Georg Friedrich Händel Två satser ur Water Music:
Adagio e staccato – [Allegro]
Johan Helmich Roman Sinfonia di chiesa
Maurice Duruflé Choral varié sur le Veni Creator op. 4
William Walton Coronation March ‘Orb and Sceptre’

Robert Quinney organ

No big bags, trolleys or prams are allowed into the church.