[SACD-R][OF] Various Composers - The Coronation of King George II (1727) – Robert King – Choir of the King’s Choir – The King’s Consort - 2001 (Classical)

1. Bells 0:49
2. Trumpet fanfare 0:39
3. Drums 1:32
4. Vivat 0:05
King’s Consort Choir
5. Trumpet fanfare 0:26
6. O Lord, grant the King a long life 1:40 William Child (1606-1697)
King’s Consort Choir
The Occasional Oratorio George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
7. Act 1 No 01. Overture: Overture 5:12
8. I was glad when they said unto me 4:33 Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
King’s Consort Choir
9. God save King George 0:53
King’s Consort Choir
10. Trumpet fanfare 0:14
Let thy hand be strengthened HWV259 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
11. Part 1: Let thy hand be strengthened 3:07
King’s Consort Choir
12. Part 2: Let justice and judgement be the preparation of thy seat 3:44
King’s Consort Choir
13. Part 3: Alleluia 2:11
King’s Consort Choir
14. O God, the Father of Heaven 6:51 Thomas Tallis (c1505-1585)
King’s Consort Choir
15. Come, Holy Ghost 3:00 John Farmer (fl1591-1601)
King’s Consort Choir
16. Zadok the Priest HWV258 5:56 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
King’s Consort Choir

1. Trumpet fanfare 0:27
2. Behold, O God our defender 2:03 John Blow (1649-1708)
King’s Consort Choir
3. Trumpet fanfare 0:25
4. God save the King 0:13
King’s Consort Choir
The King shall rejoice HWV260 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
5. Part 1: The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord 2:43
King’s Consort Choir
6. Part 2: Exceeding glad shall he be 3:17
King’s Consort Choir
7. Part 3: Glory and great worship 2:48
King’s Consort Choir
8. Part 4: Alleluia 2:46
King’s Consort Choir
Second Service Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)
9. Morning Canticle: Te Deum 10:42
King’s Consort Choir
10. Trumpet fanfare 0:27
11. God spake sometime in visions 13:18 John Blow (1649-1708)
King’s Consort Choir
12. Drums 0:21
13. Trumpet fanfare 0:24
14. God save King George 0:14
King’s Consort Choir
My heart is inditing HWV261 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
15. Part 1: My heart is inditing of a good matter 2:55
King’s Consort Choir
16. Part 2: Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women 3:36
King’s Consort Choir
17. Part 3: Upon thy right hand did stand the Queen in vesture of gold 3:22
King’s Consort Choir
18. Part 4: Kings shall be thy nursing fathers 3:02
King’s Consort Choir
19. Trumpet fanfare 0:12
20. March 1:45 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
21. Trumpet fanfare 0:36
22. Drums 1:25
23. Bells 2:29

ALLMUSIC Review:
By James Leonard:
“Why present just Handel’s Coronation Anthems for King George II when you can present the whole Coronation?” seems to be the proposition that underlies this two-disc set, entitled The Coronation of King George II, 1727. And, thrillingly performed by Robert King directing the King’s Consort and the Choir of the King’s Consort, there seems no good reason not to, and every good reason to, do just that. King, who has led many stirring recordings of Handel’s oratorios in his time, turns in splendid performances of the four Coronation Anthems, along with superb performances of ceremonial choral music by Tallis, Purcell, Gibbons, Blow, Farmer, and Child. But those are just the highlights of the recording, which opens with the tolling of the bells of Westminster Abbey and closes with the tolling of the bells of London and includes along the way trumpet fanfares led by the inestimable Crispian Steele-Perkins, drum processions led by Charles Fullbrook, spoken acclamations by Andrew Carwood as the Archbishop of Canterbury, and shouts of praise by the assembled multitudes. This set may not be for everyone — enemies of the monarchy need not tune in — and may not be for every day — a steady diet of fanfares and processions may be much for some listeners — but when you are in the mood to hear royalty enthroned, this set cannot be surpassed.
SA-CD.net Reviews:
By Polly Nomial:
This set was one of Hyperion’s first attempts at SACD and very successful it is too. This is one of the areas in which Hyperion does very well – cleverly themed discs with excellent performers. In this case, Robert King and his ensembles “recreate” the Coronation of King George II.
Opening with the tolling of the Westminster bell (actually Christchurch Priory, Dorset due to traffic noise – who says we shouldn’t pedestrianise centres of towns?!?), the vivid recording captures a trumpet fanfare and (slightly stilted) cries of “Vivat” either side of a very well done procession of drums that actually do move past the listener in MCH! Fantastic stuff. A shorter trumpet fanfare now introduces William Childs “O Lord, grant the King a long life”, tenderly sung by the Choir of the King’s Consort. The King’s Consort then deliver “A [very] Grand Instrumental Procession” by Handel with their customary panache and expertise.
The remainder of the compositions are played, sung and directed in the expert way that I come to expect from this pioneering group of ensembles and their founder/director, Robert King. It is particularly welcome to have a good “Zadok the Priest” (it was at this event, that it was first used, and has been ever since…) as a classical favourite of many which is actually well played and recorded. As noted in the very detailed and illuminating notes from Robert King, the recording is designed to give us what should have happened (a few pieces were omitted by mistake!) during the service. As such, this may be of more interest to UK listeners than other territories but it I would urge everyone to investigate as it is incredible how many pieces on this disc have come to be “standards” due to this (and other) coronations – to be able to listen in high quality MCH sound is a real bonus.
For those who come across the packaging of the discs, do not fear – the back of the set is being unduly modest; it was recorded in MCH even though it does not say so. The sound is very good throughout and a real benefit comes from listening in MCH with the processionals actually processing.
Recommended to all including ardent republicans!