WELSH GREATS INSPIRE ROYAL SONG
A WELSH composer has spoken about the new piece he has created for the King’s coronation next month.
Paul Mealor’s composition - Coronation Kyrie - which is to be sung by bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and the Westminster Abbey Choir, is set to be the first Welsh language performance at a coronation.
It is one of 12 new compositions for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Mr Mealor, who is from St Asaph, in Denbighshire, described it as “a meditative, introspective” piece.
He said: “I was inspired by the great Welsh tunes - Aberystwyth, Cwm Rhondda, Ar Lan Y Mor - and the composition is coloured by the harmonies of these songs.
“It is a cry from the deep soul of the hills and valleys of Wales for hope, peace, love and friendship.”
A new arrangement has been crafted for the Welsh folk song by Sir Karl Jenkins, Tros y Garreg (Crossing The Stone). It will be played by the Coronation Orchestra and the Royal Harpist Alis Huws.
Andrew Lloyd-Webber said he has already played a version of his piece - Make A Joyful Noise, A Coronation Anthem - to Charles but he remained tightlipped about the royal response he received.
He said: “I had the good fortune to discuss the text with His Majesty The King.
“We discussed the writings of Solomon and I suggested adapting Psalm 98 with its message of ‘Make A Joyful Noise unto the Lord, the King’. It seems so appropriate to the moment in the coronation service.
“I played, and tried to sing, my early score for the King a few weeks ago.
“I have composed a short opening and closing fanfare, which will be played by the Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force.
“The anthem is scored for the wonderful Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Coronation Orchestra.”
Charles has personally selected the musical programme for the ceremony, which has been designed to showcase a range of talent and styles from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
A short overture composed by Judith Weir will be the first performance by the Coronation Orchestra.
It features horns, “an instrument historically associated in music and art with nobility”, and “the optimistic rising scales of the music suggest renewal and hope for the future”, she said.
The coronation will feature six orchestral commissions, five choral commissions and one organ commission, specially composed for the occasion by British composers whose styles include classical, sacred, film, television and musical theatre.
Meanwhile, Welsh singer Sir Bryn will also appear at the Coronation Concert alongside Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.
The line-up will also include Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, singer-songwriter Freya Ridings and classical-soul composer Alexis Ffrench, with more acts to be announced soon.
The event on May 7 in the grounds of Windsor Castle will be in front of a crowd of 20,000 members of the public and invited guests and will be broadcast across BBC television and radio stations.
The BBC has said Take That’s performance will feature Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, but the show would offer an opportunity for Robbie Williams and Jason Orange to rejoin for a one-off reunion.
The group have performed at many Royal Variety Performances over the years, with Barlow also curating the concert outside Buckingham Palace for the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.
Barlow, Donald and Owen said: “This will be our first live show since the Odyssey Tour, four years ago in 2019, and what a stage to come back on.
“A huge live band and orchestra, a choir, military drummers, the backdrop of Windsor Castle and the celebration of a new King. We can’t wait.”
During the concert, Bocelli and Sir Bryn will perform a duet of an “iconic song of love and collective solidarity”.
Bocelli said it was a “great honour” to sing for the late Queen on several occasions and that it was another special moment to be asked to perform for the King.
The concert, produced by BBC Studios Productions, will be broadcast live from the grounds of Windsor Castle on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.