Coronation Ode
Encyclopedia
Coronation Ode, Op 44 is a work composed by Sir Edward Elgar for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, with words by A. C. Benson
.
It was written for the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902, and dedicated "by Special Permission, to His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward VII". But the Coronation was postponed due to the King being ill, so 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 first London performance was at Covent Garden on 26 October 1902.
There are six parts:
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 the eve of the Coronation which was planned for July of the next 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 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 the King", as he had wanted to follow that with "Britain, ask of thyself".
The publishers, Booseys, 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 work was published for five royal occasions:
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 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 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, 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 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!
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, 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 the Northern sea!
Nothing so sweet he brings,
Nothing so fair to see,
Purest, stateliest, daughter of ancient Kings,
Mother of Kings to be!
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 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 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 the war-trump peal!
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 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 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 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!
Peace, gentle Peace, who, smiling through thy tears,
Returnest, when the sounds of war are dumb ...
Our earth is fain for thee! Return and come.
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 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 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! 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!
A. C. Benson
Arthur Christopher Benson was an English essayist, poet, and author and the 28th Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge....
.
It was written for the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902, and dedicated "by Special Permission, to His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward VII". But the Coronation was postponed due to the King being ill, so the first performance was not until 2 October 1902 at the Sheffield Festival, by the Sheffield Choir, soloists Agnes Nicholls
Agnes Nicholls
Agnes Nicholls was one of the greatest English sopranos of the 20th century, both in the concert hall and on the operatic stage....
, Muriel Foster
Muriel Foster
Muriel Foster was an English contralto, excelling in oratorio. Grove's Dictionary describes her voice as "one of the most beautiful voices of her time"....
, John Coates
John Coates (tenor)
John Coates was a leading English tenor, who sang in opera and oratorio and on the concert platform. His repertoire ranged from Bach and Purcell to contemporary works, and embraced the major heldentenor roles in Richard Wagner's operas...
and David Ffrangcon Davies
David Ffrangcon Davies
David Ffrangcon-Davies, M.A. was a Welsh operatic baritone.-Early life and education:David Thomas Davies was born in Bethesda, Gwynedd. He later adapted the name Ffrangcon, an early variant spelling of the nearby valley Nant Ffrancon, as part of his new surname...
, with Elgar conducting. The first London performance was at Covent Garden on 26 October 1902.
There are six parts:
- I - Introduction: "Crown the King", for soloists and chorus
- II - (a) "The Queen", for chorus; (b) "Daughter of ancient Kings", for chorus
- III - "Britain, ask of thyself", for bass soloist and men's chorus
- IV - (a) "Hark upon the hallowed air" for soprano and tenor soloists, followed by (b) "Only let the heart be pure", for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloists
- V - "Peace, gentle peace", for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloists and chorus unaccompanied
- VI - Finale: "Land of hope and gloryLand of Hope and Glory"Land of Hope and Glory" is a British patriotic song, with music by Edward Elgar and lyrics by A. C. Benson, written in 1902.- Composition :...
", contralto soloist, with chorus
History
Queen VictoriaVictoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
died in January 1901 and preparations for the coronation of her son King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
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 the eve of the Coronation which was planned for July of the next year. Elgar himself invited A. C. Benson
A. C. Benson
Arthur Christopher Benson was an English essayist, poet, and author and the 28th Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge....
(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
Pomp and Circumstance Marches
The "Pomp and Circumstance Marches" , Op. 39 are a series of marches for orchestra composed by Sir Edward Elgar....
, which he liked: Elgar took up 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
Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra of Denmark was the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom...
, and added "Daughter of ancient Kings" which Elgar reluctantly placed after "Crown the King", as he had wanted to follow that with "Britain, ask of thyself".
The publishers, Booseys, realising its popularity, asked Elgar to revise "Land of hope and glory
Land of Hope and Glory
"Land of Hope and Glory" is a British patriotic song, with music by Edward Elgar and lyrics by A. C. Benson, written in 1902.- Composition :...
" so it could be produced as a separate song, and this was in fact sung by Clara Butt
Clara Butt
Dame Clara Ellen Butt DBE , sometimes called Clara Butt-Rumford after her marriage, was an English contralto with a remarkably imposing voice and a surprisingly agile singing technique. Her main career was as a recitalist and concert singer.-Early life and career:Clara Butt was born in Southwick,...
with great success at a "Coronation Concert" a week before the Ode was first performed in London.
The work was published for five royal occasions:
- the Coronation of King Edward VIIEdward VII of the United KingdomEdward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
in 1902 - "Daughter of ancient Kings", personal to Queen AlexandraAlexandra of DenmarkAlexandra of Denmark was the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom...
, was only used for this occasion - used parts I, II (b), III, IV (a & b), V and VI - the Coronation of King George VGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
in 1911 - "The Queen" replaced "Daughter of ancient Kings", and the prayer "Peace, gentle peace" was (ominously) omitted - used parts I, II (a), III, IV (a & b) and VI - the Jubilee Edition for King George V in 1935 used parts I, II (a), IV (a & b) and VI only
- the Coronation of King George VIGeorge VI of the United KingdomGeorge VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
in 1937 used parts I, II (a), IV (b) and VI only - the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth IIElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
in 1953 - "Crown the King" became "Crown the Queen" - used parts I, II (a & b), III, IV (a & b) and VI only
"Crown the King"
I - "Crown the King" - Introduction Soloists and ChorusCrown 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 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 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, 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 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!
(a) "The Queen" (b) "Daughter of ancient Kings"
II - (a) "The Queen" - ChorusTrue 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, 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 the Northern sea!
Nothing so sweet he brings,
Nothing so fair to see,
Purest, stateliest, daughter of ancient Kings,
Mother of Kings to be!
"Britain, ask of thyself"
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 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 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 the war-trump peal!
(a) "Hark, upon the hallowed air" (b) "Only let the heart be pure"
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 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 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 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!
"Peace, gentle peace"
V "Peace, gentle peace" - Soli (S.A.T.B.) and Chorus unaccompaniedPeace, gentle Peace, who, smiling through thy tears,
Returnest, when the sounds of war are dumb ...
Our earth is fain for thee! Return and come.
"Land of hope and glory"
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 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 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! 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!
Recordings
- Teresa Cahill (soprano), Anne CollinsAnne Collins (opera singer)-Career:Collins was born in Durham. She studied at the Royal College of Music, London, first the cello and then vocal studies, where her teachers included Meriel St Clair and Oda Slobodskaya....
(contralto), Anthony Rolfe-Johnson (tenor), Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Choir, Sir Alexander Gibson (conductor)Alexander Gibson (conductor)Sir Alexander Gibson, CBE was a Scottish conductor and opera intendant.Gibson was born in Motherwell and studied music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, as well as in London, Salzburg and Siena, Italy...
. Chandos CHAN 6574
- Dame Felicity LottFelicity LottDame Felicity Ann Emwhyla Lott, DBE, FRCM is an English soprano.-Education:From her earliest years she was musical, having started studying piano at age 5. She also played violin and began singing lessons at 12. She is an alumna of Royal Holloway, University of London, obtaining a BA in French and...
(soprano), Alfreda Hodgson (contralto), Richard Morton (tenor), Stephen Roberts (bass), Cambridge University Musical Society, Choir of Kings College Cambridge, Band of the Royal Military School of MusicRoyal Military School of MusicThe Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham, west London, trains musicians for the British Army's twenty-nine bands. It is part of the Corps of Army Music...
, Kneller HallKneller HallKneller Hall is a stately home in the Twickenham area of west London, and takes its name from Sir Godfrey Kneller, court painter to British monarchs from Charles II to George I...
conducted by Sir Philip LedgerPhilip LedgerSir Philip Ledger CBE is a British classical musician and academic. He is best-known for his tenure as director of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge between 1973 and 1982 and as director of Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama from 1982 until his retirement in 2001...
, recorded at Chapel of Kings College, Cambridge, February 1977 EMI CLASSICS 5 85148 2