The King Shall Rejoice

The King Shall Rejoice marked the high point of the coronation service for King George II in 1727. For his Crowning, Handel provided a sumptuous setting of verses from Psalm 21, evoking the strength and glory granted to the King by God. Handel called for a grand orchestra, including three trumpets and drums, and a choir which he expected to be 50 strong, but was almost certainly larger. The opening chorus is suitably majestic, with a robust, four-square gait and powerful, punchy declamation from the choir. For added momentum, and a touch of drama, Handel delayed the appearance of the trumpets in the opening orchestral passage, suddenly revealing them in a glorious sequence of ringing fanfares. A gentler section follows, where Handel depicts the King’s ‘gladness’ with a swinging dance metre, using melting harmonies to underline the promise of heavenly salvation. The King’s faith in God’s blessings is aptly illustrated with a confident, striding theme (“Thou hast prevented him”) culminating in a vigorous, fugal “Allelujah”. About Handel’s Coronation Anthems The coronation of King George II of England in 1727 was celebrated with a magnificent ceremony at Westminster Abbey, which included four orchestrally accompanied anthems by Handel. They were carefully tailored to fit specific high points in the service: Zadok the Priest accompanied the Anointing, The King Shall Rejoice marked the Crowning of the King, and My Heart Is Inditing the coronation of the Queen. Let Thy Hand be Strengthened was probably intended for the Recognition, where the King was presented to the congregation at the beginning of the service. Zadok the Priest, long the most popular of the four, has been performed at the coronation of every monarch since George II—eloquent testimony to the enduring power and celebratory energy of Handel’s music.