Handel: Zadok the Priest | Academy of Ancient Music

Join us at our next concert: George Frideric Handel’s ’Zadok the Priest’ from his Coronation Anthem HWV258, performed by the Academy of Ancient Music and Choir of the AAM, conducted by Music Director Richard Egarr and recorded live at Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Composed for the coronation of King George II on 11 October 1727, Handel’s 𝘡𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 (HWV 258) stands alongside ’The King Shall Rejoice’, ’My Heart is Inditing’ and ’Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened’ as one of the composer’s Coronation Anthems. One of Handel’s best-known works, 𝘡𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 has been performed prior to the anointing of the sovereign at the coronation of every British monarch since its composition and is universally recognised as a staple of British patriotic music. The words have been used, in some form, in every English or British coronation for more than 1,000 years. Fun fact: English composer Tony Britten rearranged ’Zadok the Priest’ in 1992 as the basis for the UEFA Champions League Anthem, now enshrined as one of the best-known sports songs in the world! Subscribe for more great AAM content, and follow us on our socials! Website: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: #ZadokThePriest #Handel #ChampionsLeague 00:00:00 Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king 00:01:47 And all the people rejoiced and said: 00:02:35 God save the King! Long live the King! God save the King! May the King live for ever. Amen. Hallelujah.