Handel: Zadok the Priest | The English Concert & Händelfestspielorchester Halle

Exuberant and regal: Two of the world’s most noted Baroque orchestras, the English Concert and the Händelfestspielorchester Halle, played “Zadok the Priest” HWV 258 under the baton of Howard Arman as part of the Handel Celebration Concert on 14 April 2009. The performance took place in the spectacular Market Church of Halle, where Handel was baptized in 1685.

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) composed “Zadok the Priest” for the coronation of the British monarch George II and queen consort Caroline of Ansbach, in 1727. At the time of composition, Handel had already lived in London for over a decade, and he would remain there until his death in 1759. In February 1727, mere months before the coronation of George II, the German born Handel became a British citizen – a highly complicated process at the time, which demonstrates Handel’s commitment to the country.

“Zadok the Priest” is one of four anthems Handel composed for the coronation celebration in 1727. The work was first played for George II and has been performed at the coronation of every British monarch since then – most recently at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The text for “Zadok the Priest'' was picked by Handel himself. The composer is quoted to have said the following words upon receiving a text suggestion by the bishops: “I have read my Bible very well, and shall choose for myself”.

The opening of the piece is carried by a ceremonial and regal string section which gradually builds up, before finally bursting into a triumphant eruption of trumpets and a choir which sings:
“Zadok the Priest
And Nathan the Prophet
Anointed Solomon King”

The exuberant quality of the choir continues to develop over the following bars and eventually culminates in an ecstatically joyful “God save the King!” – highly fitting for the ceremonial setting it is usually performed in.

Artists:
The English Concert
Händelfestspielorchester Halle
MDR Rundfunkchor
Hallenser Madrigalisten
Händelfestspielchor
Chor der Oper Halle
Howard Arman, conductor

© EuroArts Music International

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[Dominian]

For those wondering: Yes, they based the Champion's League theme on Zadok the Priest by Händel, who explicitly wrote this for the coronation of George II..

[shireknight]

Stunning and to think in the days when this was performed there were no recording devices, so if you were lucky enough to hear it in a concert or a coronation it would probably be the only time you would ever hear it in your life so it would have a profound effect on you.

[Kari_Bex]

The orchestra and choir at Westminster Abbey on the 6th May 2023 for the Coronation of King Charles III did not disappoint. It was amazing and majestic.

[justinshabtai]

As a Jew, I honestly can't describe how incredible and humbling it feels to listen to choir from one of the most powerful monarchies in recent history sing about our national history and ancient monarchs.

[emu]

Nothing beats the classical unearthly music of such composers. Spine tingling ....soul searing....life affirming

[kyhber]

When Mozart admires your work as he did Handel, That speaks for itself... Enough said ..

[TXMagiDude]

I honestly had no idea how much the music of Handel had meant to me over the years. This performance reawakened my love for his work. Thank you so much for sharing this DW

[KittyKat-bfbk]

Handel's music is just so thrilling.

[slowcooker]

Perhaps the best performance I've heard, and I've heard many. On a acale of one to ten, I give this twenty. Hopefully these musicians can perform at King Charles coronation.

[esmeephillips]

'To him I bow the knee, for Handel is the greatest, ablest composer who ever lived.' (Beethoven)

[jamesderwin]

This song and it being a bank holiday, really made a special a weekend in my garden. The black birds are still singing, relentless.

[bBart]

die meister
die basten
les grandes equipes
THE CHAMPIONS

[AntonievanTonder]

I love it when Handel said, “I have read my Bible very well, and shall choose for myself”. His music truly displays his faith. The Messiah - I believe - was directly inspired by the Holy Spirit.

[ronniedodge]

This is incredible we will probably hear this in May with Charles coronation

[ursulajenni]

This piece of music is so magnificent, so spiritually inspired that my heart melts and I stand in awe and adoration before the Almighty God, holding my breath for a while, not even noticing it! Thank you DW for sharing!!!❤

[gixlee]

I am surprised that I have tears listening to this. It’s so dramatic, majestic, spiritual … holy cow. I can’t wait to hear this during King Charles’ coronation.

[sylaq]

How can one nation knock-out so many wonderful composers? As a Brit (with some German ancestry) I'm in awe of that nation. We just can't compete...

[quaver]

Splendid music, and a church to match. Thank you so, so much.

[qprx]

I sang this at our National Symphony Hall last month with a huge massed choir, and what can I say! No audio or video can ever truly capture the sheer magnificence of listening to this masterpiece in real life. Especially hearing every voice and the whole orchestra sing in tutti after the long introduction at 1:51 in setting is so breathtaking! 😍 One of my favorite choral works ever, would highly recommend experiencing the real thing! :)

[bainganabarnabas]

I feel so touched when I listened to the performance of this choir. Thank you so much for perfecting the song I like most. GUT!DANKE, DANKE!