The King shall rejoice HWV 260

Handel Coronation Anthems in Urtext editions for the first time

“Zadok the Priest”(BA 10258) and “The King shall rejoice”(BA 10259) are the best-known of the four coronation anthems that Handel wrote for the crowning of George II in London (1727). HWV 258 accompanied the king’s anointment, HWV 260 his actual coronation.

Thanks to their festive and majestic structure befitting the occasion as well as their spacious scoring for large choir and orchestra, it comes as no surprise that motifs from “Zadok the Priest” have found their way into the official hymn of the UEFA Champions League.

The present editions by the authoritative Handel scholar Stephan Blaut are the first to offer these two anthems based on the Urtext from the “Halle Handel Edition”.

Instrumentation: Mixed choir (SAATBB), Oboe (2), Bassoon (2), Trumpet (3), Timpani, Violin (3), Viola, Basses (Violoncello, Double bass, Bassoon, Organ)