Zadok the Priest - Handel Electrifies the Coronation!

[@trs4437]

I used to crank “Zadok the Priest” in the car when my son was a young boy. He couldn’t get enough of the explosive entry of the choir. Fun times with baroque.

[@hanginlaundry360]

What a fortunate little boy! ❤❤❤

[@MrJonnerrs]

If it ain't baroque don't fix it :)

[@marilynwentworth6973]

Lovely memory!

[@chrisengland5523]

I have a CD of it by John Eliot Gardiner and I took it with me to a music group that I belong to. The organiser put it on, then once it had started turned the volume up to the 'normal' level that we use to listen to everything with. The thing about this particular recoding is that the first part is VERY quiet, but the volume was turned up high, so everyone could hear it well. Then the second part exploded with the full choir etc. ... I was waiting for this ... "Oh, my God!" He rushed to turn it back down, while I sat there laughing.

[@SebastianForal]

I remember my dad playing baroque music for me too

[@gerryszymanski8468]

When it first started to sound at the Coronation, I will admit that chills ran up my spine.

[@Tampo-tiger]

The Coronation Anthem Zadok The Priest seems to encapsulate the feel and pride of a state occasion, which, through a change of monarch will mean new money, new stamps, a new 'King'; or 'Queen' on post boxes and so many aspects of life in Britain and in her loyal protectorates around the world. This is a huge occasion for us all to enjoy, and the regal, stately Zadok The Priest speaks of it back down through the ages. I absolutely, unreservedly LOVE it. This is the vital anointing theme, guaranteed to make your hair follicles stiffen. This gentleman's examination of it helps to illustrate the point, and I think I'm on about my tenth viewing of this video.

[@petermarksteiner7754]

In the score, the cue for the choir to sing "Zaa-dok the Priest ..." is simply marked "loud".

[@michaeltutty1540]

When I was in highschool, we performed Zadok The Priest. Our 212 voice choir produced the necessary wall of sound. It is certainly not an easy piece to perform well, but the goosebumps when you just know in your bones that you nailed it is perhaps bettered only by singing Beethoven's Hallelujah Chorus. We sang that, too. It was quite ambitious considering that there were no auditions to be able to enter the music department. If you wanted to join, in you went. Because if that, I have been on stage in both the Massey Music Hall and Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

[@miditrax]

is that ƒ or ƒƒ ? 📣

[@theastral1909]

@@miditrax Yup. Double ff. Not loud FFS!

[@HerbertDuckshort]

I would love to have met him. GF Handel was renowned for his ….forthright manner? His motto could gave been “No messin’ about”.

[@kingeddiam2543]

Well things were less standardised and handel spoke english so it makes sense

[@andyflack7940]

I’m not a royalist but I watched this particular part of the coronation to hear Zadoc the Priest in the intended context. It is supremely powerful and electrifying, as if at the very moment the choir comes in that God too has entered the room. Given the implied divinity of the ceremony I can only imagine that’s what Handel was shooting for.

[@ScienceChap]

You don't need to be a royalist to enjoy beautiful and powerful music.

[@SBiswas1967]

you dont need to be a royalist to enjoy and celebrate culture

[@dmsnch]

Indeed. Except that on the BBC Huw Edwards talked over the entire Prelude.

[@SebastianForal]

​@@dmsnch😭

[@xenosmoke8915]

I’m British and I can confirm His Majesty only attended the ceremony so he could hear Zadok The Priest.

[@ktwashere5637]

its not quite the only reason I watched the entire 2 hour ceremony but not far off.

[@FabFay62]

Hysterical!

[@karlstewart2220]

What a twatty comment

[@ninathesman4084]

Agreed, I know I could hardly wait for it myself 😊

[@ericwortman3180]

It's a great piece! It's electric every time I hear it.

[@JSB2500]

Hello Music Professor. "That chord change" changed my life! Here's how. I'm 55. Back in 1979 I was 11 and went, by choice, to St Alban's School in the UK. For various reasons, I didn't much like the school to start with, not least because my maths teacher said he thought it was a good idea to count on one's fingers. We used to sing in St Alban's Cathedral twice a week, under Andrew Parnell. We learned and sung "Zadok the Priest" soon after I started. When I heard THAT chord - 03:13 in your video - and the subsequent ones you talk about - my "music eyes" opened wide. I was genuinely excited. "Wow! Maybe this school will be cool after all!" I thought, happily. That was during rehearsal on the piano. When I heard it on the organ in the cathedral, I was even more excited. I can remember both moments clearly, over 40 years later. I didn't play any instrument then. However, I went on to learn the organ, age 14. Understanding how that Zadok opening working was a top priority for me!! I made a 5 octave electronic keyboard and sat in my bedroom working out how it works. From age 16, I played the organ in the cathedral twice a week. Happy days indeed! I never got to perform Zadok there, but I did elsewhere. I still play the organ, and now three other instruments too. I'm told I play the organ well - maybe see Bach BWV 542 on my channel. **And a huge drive to learn to play came from hearing the Zadok intro that you talk about in this video.** So thank you. I enjoyed your video very much. 😃 And I ended up enjoying my school very much too! 😄 BTW, I think your demos on a piano rather than harpsichord sound fine. I think you've mic'd it very well. Thanks again. 🙂

[@themusicprofessor]

Thank you for your comments and your fascinating story. Great music always has an impact!

[@billbusen]

Very similar experience in the Moline Boy's Choir, including obsessing over learning the introduction. Including being a piano major down the line. I imagine that Handel was the first piano teacher of a large number of boy sopranos.

[@stufour]

Thanks for sharing that. I love how clear those moments still are for you.

[@JSB2500]

I just made this recording of the first section. I made it for a KZbin 1 minute Short, so I've cut three measures from the intro to make that work. I forgot to do a full version without the cut. (I had lots of trouble with video cameras stopping and video files getting corrupted - far harder than playing the music! 😄). As an experiment I double pedalled the bass line with the bottom note sustained, so it's incredibly heavy! 🤭 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXi6d6qFi7-Ym5I

[@lorifrank430]

i never wqs any good at theory but when i hear that chord change i feel it in stomach and think mayb Jesus is coming back right then the anticipation is so insanely glorious

[@1258-Eckhart]

I'm just so thankful that I got to hear this piece in its intended context. It's a truly magnificent piece of music and was today sung brilliantly by the very choir it was written for. Such privilege.

[@chong2389]

It shall remain a cherished memory along with twice visiting Westminster Abbey and seeing the life size bust of Handel at the Huntingdon Library Museum in California.

[@LucileCoccinelle]

that's exactly how i feel. it gave me goosebumps!

[@musiclover148]

Ditto. Very moving.

[@Ellie49]

Wow!

[@altosanon]

Exactly what I felt. I have heard this so many times in recordings and performance and I suddenly realised this is what is was actually written for

[@truckerfromreno]

I have never been so moved by a piece of music as I was by Zadok the Priest at the Coronation. It was breathtaking. The moment of the anointing is truly special.

[@scienceevolves4417]

May the kingdom continue, and the protesting mob descend into the void of history 😊

[@Hugh7777]

It can't last much longer. "Sceptre and crown will tumble down and in the dust be equal made With the common scythe and spade." The hypocrisy of the church, founded on divorce, that drove a king from the throne rather than crown a divorced woman as queen only 87 years ago, now crowning one (albeit very casually and hastily), is just one of the gaping cracks in today's monarchy.

[@Hugh7777]

Zadok the Priest is wonderful music, but the idea that magical oil from Jerusalem dabbed on Charles links him with a 2500 year back king or makes him special in any way should be laughed to scorn, not treated with reverence.

[@a.t.c.3862]

​@@Hugh7777 And yet, it will endure. 😊

[@Soffity]

@@Hugh7777 they also crowned a divorced king, who committed adultery, was very cruel to his first wife and has fingers in many nefarious pies and the rest. Hope my country divorces itself form the monarchy of England very, very soon. However the music is fantastic.

[@Desmaad]

One of my favourite uses of "Zadok the Priest" is the scene in "The Madness of King George" when they manhandle the King to strap him into a wooden chair. The irony of using a coronation anthem to mark the restraining of a man with mental illness is delicious!

[@themusicprofessor]

Yes. It's a brilliantly 'dissonant' use of the music, and all the more poignant because George III's favourite composer was Handel.

[@izenkixiron5173]

Thank you for letting us know of this scene! I just watched it, and oh dear, it's delightful (well acted, too).

[@owensims7491]

*King George* : I am the King of England! *Dr Willis* : No sir! You are the patient!

[@williamsackelariou1860]

It is because those 3 Georges where incredible bastards Read history of imperial and colonial England

[@louise_rose]

Agree! and watching that scene on tv a few years ago, when the intro to Zadok began playing in the background (as they were beginning to wrestle with the king), I knew what was coming and the twisted irony of it!

[@AbdelOveAllhan]

And once again, Handel anoints the new monarch of England. So in reality, Handel reigns supreme.

[@fsinjin60]

Almost all the music was by court and Anglican church composers over the centuries with Rutter doing rutterish arrangements,

[@samrodian919]

@@fsinjin60 I don't know, John Rutter is a good musician............ for a Cambridge chemistry professor! (Actually I like his music especially his Christmas carols which I've been singing for years)

[@fsinjin60]

@@samrodian919 I did not say bad, just very Rutter-like. It works great in his carols and other religious works; it was terrible for Beatles songs

[@kathleenmorris9309]

No.. Jesus reigns Supreme.. Charles denounced Christ.. 1 world religion. His day of judgment is coming.

[@cwhig]

Precisely. No Handel, no monarchy, in my view.

[@AndromedaCripps]

Been excited all week for the coronation precisely because of how much I love THIS PIECE!!

[@lazaglider]

The moment did not disappoint!

[@leonieallan9804]

It was absolutely magnificent, the highlight of the coronation, imagine being there in the Abbey, I love Handel’s music, an incredible genius

[@wurlitzer895]

Handel was a genius! The building up of the musical tension that explodes with the choir's declamation of 'Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet' never, ever fails to thrill. I always ensure that my blood pressure medication is within easy reach.... I very much enjoyed your analysis, Professor. Thank you!! Regards, Peter A :) :) :)

[@themusicprofessor]

Thank you so much. Yes, keep the medication close at hand!

[@wurlitzer895]

@@themusicprofessor Hahaha!! All good wishes. Peter A :) :) :)

[@parkemessier6128]

It never fails to make me cry.

[@emb74]

I think this piece probably has the best two minutes of the beginning of a piece and the Rachmaninov 3rd piano concerto has the best last two minutes!

[@wurlitzer895]

@@emb74 Dvorak's violin concerto has a fabulous ending - as does Franck's symphony in D minor!!!! I love a good ending!!:) :) :)

[@germansnowman]

That unexpected minor chord always gives me goosebumps.

[@ericastier1646]

True, i would love to recompose the piece just after that minor chord so that it does not recover to the regal D major but instead goes into a more drama and tragedy.

[@cwhig]

Handel's contributions to the British monarchy are incalculable. This is a very astute discussion of the elements that elevate the moment of anointment to a truly sublime phenomenon.

[@tobias_v_p]

I adored it to hear Zadok The Priest for the only moment is was actually made for!

[@bibliopolist]

Wait, it wasn't made for the UEFA Champions League???

[@emb74]

I love this piece. I have just a little musical training (a few years of piano lessons and many years playing) and I have always “felt” what you just put into words and explained for me!! It was wonderfully done at the coronation yesterday. When the choir came in I think it must have shaken the rafters! One person who was there commented that even though he knew what was coming he still jumped.

[@thucydidescallas525]

This was the best part of the coronation. It was so glorious.

[@fionamacleod30]

Thank you for this video! I am new to your channel and only found you because I was so moved by Zadok the priest when I heard it at King Charles coronation on Saturday. What I also found made this piece work so well at this stage of the coronation was the theatrical element that took place at this point in the ceremony. King Charles had all his Kingly robes taken off, the screens were taken out in preparation for his anointment, beautifully choreographed by the soldiers, and at the moment when the choir came in, Charles was down to his trousers and loose shirt, looking no more like a king, just a common man going before God. It was such an amazing moment that I started to cry. I would love to know who directed and choreographed the day with all that music and ceremony. It was a masterpiece from start to finish.

[@benbunyip]

For me, the highlight of the coronation. Splendid!

[@maxjohn6012]

I was a chorister at Norwich Cathedral when I was a kid, and this was *always* our absolute favourite piece to sing :) It's sooo much fun!

[@athenastewart9167]

He was always my favorite to sing, too! I mean, Bach and Mozart are wonderful, of course, but Handel? He is a delight!

[@AndrewWilsonStooshie]

I remember back in the late 1980s, when I was in my late teens, the World Council of churches decided to hold their decennial meeting in Scotland, Their opening service was at Holyrood cathedral in Stirling where James VI/I had been crowned and other such historical events had happened. They gathered together all the local choirs and orchestras in the church with the Organ (with its capped 32' stop!!) and we performed Zadok the Priest. Even though I say so myself, it was astounding. I don't think anyone will ever hear it quite like that again particularly in that situation. We started off really quietly and gently with that relentless rhythm in the cellos and built up and up until the entry of the choir when we made this phenomenal sound which continued to the end of the piece. The final echo danced around the cathedral for what seemed like forever. However, the priest had this tiny, little, monotone voice (imagine John Major with a Scottish accent) and after all the noise his tiny voice said "we welcome you to the church of the Holyrood" in what sounded almost like a mouse's voice. It felt like such a let-down after such magnificent music.

[@louise_rose]

Somewat differently, I remember a scene in the film "The Madness of King George" where the King (Nigel Hawthorne) is subdued by his attendants and his court physician , finally forced down and tied to a chair to protect him from his madness. With a brilliant touch, the anthem is used as the soundtrack for the scene - when I first saw it on TV I heard the slowly rising intro in the background and immediately knew how the piece was going to be used for a kind of "inverse coronation" of the unhappy King. :)

[@GMN360]

Zadok the priest and the anointing of the King were my “looking forward to moments” of the coronation. Neither let me down after 70 years of waiting for the special day!

[@ross.venner]

The very first choral work I performed. Portsmouth Cathedral c1965. My year, and perhaps others were dragooned to perform it. Most were sniggering and resentful, but I was entranced. I have loved choral music ever since. Thank you.

[@prototropo]

Yes! That progression is never not astonishing. It's tonic is DM, which aims for a typical V of V, but is prepared by a somewhat irregular triadic harmony--II minor 7--that's ordinarily a rascally IV intended to slip obediently to V7, but instead tricks us through an intrigue by lowering the sixth so we have what would ordinarily be a V of V, no big deal, but instead another II minor 7--of IV! This then routes to V, and becomes the new temporary tonic, repeating the intro on A, with the same wonderful detour as before. It's simple but exotic, one of the least complicated yet most remarkable moments in all of music--using the submediant twice, instead of a IV and a V, as the functional V of IV, then V of V, respectively.

[@theastral1909]

You Sir are a genius. A privilege to have watched this video.

[@themusicprofessor]

Thank you!

[@hamwhacker]

Thank you for this. I played this piece (on the violin with 2 other violins) to my neighbours at our Jubilee Street Party. I can’t tell you what it really felt like, so uplifting and emotional even in our smaller initiate setting.

[@musiclover148]

For the fascinating background story to this anthem's text, read 1 Kings, chapter one in the Old Testament. Unlike Saturday's meticulously planned ceremony, Solomon's coronation was an emergency, impromptu affair, made urgent by the rebellion of David's other son, Adonijah, who tried to usurp the throne. This one, exciting chapter contains the whole story, including the parts played by Zadok, Nathan, Bathsheba and others. Another difference: Charles did not have the honor of riding his father's personal mule to the service.

[@Dee-JayW]

Myths are NOT part of this at all.

[@mllesamedi84]

@DeeJay What do you mean by "myth"? This peace (as the coronazione itself) Is deeply rooted in Religion!

[@themusicprofessor]

I suspect that the late Prince Philip's mule wasn't available for the occasion!

[@peterwilkins7013]

​@@Dee-JayW assuming that you mean that Zadok, Solomon etc are myths, then your comment is illogical. Are you saying that Handle's Zadok the Priest has nothing to do with the Biblical Zadok the priest?

[@Dee-JayW]

@@peterwilkins7013 Handel's Zadok is based on a book of myths. Gorgeous music, Handel and Bach are my favourites!

[@deborahmarshall4216]

I had the enormous privilege of singing this piece in performance for the first time in the Royal Albert Hall last Saturday evening. That first choir note was one of the most electrifying moments of my 60 years! It brings me out in goosebumps just thinking about it. (Unfortunately I sing alto, and spent most of the rest of the piece repeating the note 'A'. Ah well.)

[@avryllsixtus3429]

I sang it as a younish girl in the Royal Choral Society which was a great experience....twas the start of my singing and teaching career. The RCS on Good Friday is the only society which stages Handel's Messiah in its entirety..about six hours..just love the grandness of Handel.....

[@MsSteelphoenix]

Ah, the eternal problem of being an alto 😂

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Totally agree. It's one of the great strokes of musical and spiritual genius ever. :-)

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

I sang it int he choir of St Andrews Sydney when a boy, upon the Queen's visit to Australia. It reduces me to tears whenever I hear it. That introduction is-something totally ethereal. No-one can ever teach a composer how to conjure music lie this-it's a mystery.:-)

[@JackCliffordWilliams]

It's such an emotional journey!

[@rdgproductions4832]

The fact that this has been featured in every coronation since 1727 (nearly three hundred years) is quite simply astonishing. We used to sing this in school in Essex and I loved the Bass component. I love the music score for this piece. Handel was quite frankly amazing and it’s funny to learn that it didn’t go very well in 1727. I wonder what he thought!

[@andreacantieri3364]

The first time I saw and played this piece's sheet music I thought: "how the hell did he think about switching to E minor?"...I am glad to see I was not the only one reacting that way.

[@imho2278]

It's a bit of a Radiohead thing too....

[@christopherchessum8941]

Thank you for that very interesting analysis of Zadok the Priest. A truly majestic work by Handel.

[@andrewcrossley2448]

Thanks for this. I’ll never forget playing it with a large orchestra and choir 50 years ago as a young violinist. Majestic..as it was in the Abbey. I watched the service with my 87 year old dad and when they started Zadok he piped out…now there’s real music. Bit of a put down on all the new pieces….

[@tomn6921]

In 1977 Sir Huw Weldon co-wrote and presented a 10-part series on BBC TV called Royal Heritage. I'm certain that it used Zadok the Priest as it's opening title music. I was 12 years old with no musical training. And this amazing music, sempre crescendo, was a total revelation to me. So much so that I sat one evening close up to the television with a microphone in one hand and a portable tape cassette recorder in the other, determined to record it in case I never heard it again.

[@themusicprofessor]

That's amazing, and I'll tell you a strange coincidence: I first heard Zadok the Priest on the same programme, and had the same reaction - although I wasn't enterprising enough to try to record it.

[@JosephSchmidtfan]

I also watched the Royal Heritage programs and can confirm that Zadok the Priest was used as the title music.

[@elainethemusician3310]

I was 12 in 1977, Silver Jubilee year, too and Zadok the Priest is what I remember from this series more than anything else. It was also the first time I heard this magnificent music. As a music student, several years later, our choir sang The King Shall Rejoice, which is the second of the four Coronation anthems. It is wonderful too.

[@avryllsixtus3429]

Gosh I remember that series and Huw Weldon..his like will never be seen or heard again....

[@LaurieWilliams-lk8fc]

I also was 12 in 1977, 13 mid year, and I also watched Royal Heritage, with parents and two younger brothers. For me also that programme was the first time I had heard Zadok The Priest. It was thrilling, the perfect theme music for such a documentary.

[@trudifield7621]

Thanks Matthew for your enlightening information on this fabulous piece of music.

[@themusicprofessor]

Thank you Trudi!

[@rachelbarlow9382]

I think people forget the wonderful Parry anthem ('I was glad') in the coronation service and the amazing daylight on the 3rd sung note ('glad') - so simple and yet so stunning!

[@coloneljessop]

No doubt one of if not the greatest intro in music in my humble opinion. The sense of anticipation never fails to get my adrenaline into overdrive.

[@timhaigh2557]

Fascinating thank you, I wondered how the piece enraptured me even though I've heard it before. It was performed superbly at the Coronation of Charles III.

[@johncorrall1739]

Most of us plebs have no idea why it is we find this masterpiece so incredibly moving. We just do,great art,for all of your wonderful and insightful analysis,moves the fucking shit out of us and it’s beauty appeals to to our souls. I enjoyed your vid,great stuff.

[@themusicprofessor]

Thank you!

[@stevenuttley]

But we're the ones that really matter. Without an audience these pieces would not be legendary and it's the power to move so may for so long that makes this piece so great.

[@RichardTaylor1630]

Please clean up your language. This isa public site. Thank you.

[@Goldstone93]

I felt every word of that and agree entirely

[@neorich59]

The intro, is one of the great build ups in Classical Music. But, what does my head in is the brutality of the V7 chord in 4th inversion on the word "Prop-het." I never tire of it. Spine tingling stuff!

[@neorich59]

Apologies. 3rd inversión! 😉

[@GRACEWORLDANDCHURCHSTUFF]

You are awesome, thank You for the analysis, and I bless God for the life of that great musician Handel! His works are notable. May his soul continue to rest in God.🙏🏼

[@themusicprofessor]

Thank you!

[@arcturus4067]

Thanks for this explanation. This unexpected chord progression is the mark of creative genius. The kind of stuff that divides the good from the great.

[@SophieLeung-du9we]

One of my favourite pieces by Handel, thx very much!🙏🏻 Zadok the Priest is really thrilling, people just anticipate the first 3 words being sung 😃

[@marcus8258]

This piece is so awe inspiring. Handel was an uber genius!

[@hoangkimviet8545]

And Handel also electrifies the football, or soccer!

[@themusicprofessor]

That is indeed correct! Perhaps some of my remarks about royalty at the end of the video apply to football too (dives for cover...)

[@anthtan]

THE CHAMPIONS!

[@ernest_asa_iii]

Forza Milan! 🔴⚫🎉 Zadok the priest is just majestic!

[@chrisvowell2890]

As someone who'se only musical skill is playing cassettes or a CD, you've explained beautifully why this piece is so strangely inspiring! I was lucky enough to watch Queen Elizabeth's coronation on a small black and white TV in '53 and, even then, I was attracted to it and have loved hearing it ever since. You've now explained why. Well done! Subscribed.

[@mr-wx3lv]

It is an extraordinary piece, especially as you explained it. Handel is a true musical genius. In many ways, ahead of his time..

[@helendeacon7637]

Always breathtaking! Interesting to know it was messed up at the very beginning. Hasn't it come through magnificently since then? Wonderfully stirring! Thank you for this lovely video.

[@WaterlooExpat]

When I visited London, for the first time, Westminster Abbey was on my "must visit" list. The grave of George Frederick Handel was the only memorial, of all the important people buried at the Abbey, that I intentionally sought out. Although I walked over the graves of many individuals, without a concern that I might be showing disrespect, I intentionally approached the grave of Handel with the utmost of care. I dared not set foot upon it. This video suggests the reasons why; I was in the presence of the final resting place of a musical genius who enriched the lives of countless people for centuries after his life ended.

[@davec4276]

Love the graphics! And…. The Education. Thankyou😀

[@cavandavidson1185]

Brilliant , thanks very much.

[@johanvanangeren6150]

I love Handel. His music is profound mixed with an effortless appearance.

[@danielzylberkan1587]

Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon THE CHAAAAMPIOOONS!!!

[@miditrax]

"We are the Champions, my friend" - Queen 👑

[@dulcamarabuffo]

A wonderful analysis of a wonderful piece. Many thanks and regards from Weimar, Germany!

[@themusicprofessor]

Thank you!

[@jpwalch]

Thank you for the musical explanation of this famous opening. I have always found it to be incredibly magnetic, but never understood what made it so.

[@gopher7691]

Thank you for this fascinating. The other anthems he wrote are beautiful too. I love “My Heart is Indicting”. I wish they had played all of them

[@fraumahler5934]

I love these videos.

[@SocksWithSandals]

Beautifully described

[@loc1k]

Wonderful commentary!

[@millennial8441]

These chord modulations from the beginning section that Haendel came up with are so iconic! This is why baroque music is so "angular" and not "round" like Cassical or Romantic ones: when you are expecting for one thing then occurs exactly the awkward (and brilliant!) opposite thing.

[@williamevans9426]

I love this piece - one of my favourite short works, in fact, and I agree that the opening is the most interesting section. Many thanks for explaining how it 'works', so-to-speak!

[@MCowie]

I love these evaluations of music. I only wish I understood music well enough to be able to do this. These videos make the music even better, pointing out nuances that I can hear but not understand.

[@ИгорьИгорь-с3ю]

Great lesson!

[@loganfruchtman953]

Safe to say Handel created the beat drop

[@brontologos]

He also invented the middle eight . Most of his arias have an A- A - B - A melody structure as many popular songs have today.

[@angierucinski5694]

I have loved this piece of music since I was a little girl and I am so glad I have finally heard it in its proper context and setting.

[@spikeo12]

Love the piece, and your information!

[@SBiswas1967]

Die Besten!

[@valeriemetzler9753]

The Champions! Les grandes équipes!

[@christopherwebber3804]

I've sung it many times and I'm always disappointed when it finishes. It always seems too short and 'm still waiting for the sequel! Thanks for the interesting exposition.

[@mateuszandrzejewski3616]

An unexpected moments within expected frames are hallmarks of greatest composers.

[@arcturus4067]

Well put!

[@wilfredruffian5002]

Little slap at the monarchy at the end to keep the professor cred. Make sure your boss hears that,might be a raise in it for you.

[@themusicprofessor]

Chance would be a fine thing.

[@kaloarepo288]

Handel of course ,who became a British institution, is buried in Westminster Abbey in poet's corner and I wonder how his ghost reacted when they were playing his song! I liked that piece by William Boyce as well that had a very Handelian ring to it -there was also a short symphony by Boyce at the Prince Harry/Meghan Markle wedding in Windsor.I presume Boyce was greatly influenced by Handel.

[@themusicprofessor]

Boyce was indeed a talented British composer of the next generation. Handel was a major celebrity in London in the 1720s so Boyce would have grown up aware of his illustrious colleague, and I believe they were friends later on. Handel's influence on his music is unmistakeable, but then Handel's influence extended well beyond Boyce: a century later, Beethoven's 'Consecration of the House' overture of 1824 was written as a sort of homage to Handel.

[@musiclover148]

@@themusicprofessor Beethoven on his deathbed called Handel, "the ablest of composers."

[@jaakkomantyjarvi7515]

@@themusicprofessor Also, Mozart re-orchestrated 'Messiah' and quoted 'And with his stripes' in the Kyrie fugue in his 'Requiem'.

[@bobroberts6155]

William Boyce (as Master of the King’s Music) reputedly refused to compose a new setting of Zadok the Priest for the coronation of George III, declaring that Handel’s setting was unsurpassable.

[@kaloarepo288]

@@jaakkomantyjarvi7515 I think Mozart also reorchestrated Handel's short English language opera "Acis and Galathea" which is a work by Handel I absolutely love.

[@matthewscott7198]

If you want to get into deferred cadences at the Coronation, look at the end of Parry's 'I was glad', with its mind-bending setting of the somewhat unremarkable text "peace be within thy walls and plenteousness within thy palaces." I'm not sure I've ever encountered more tension in what really boils down to a V-I cadence.

[@brummieinbristol522]

I love how 'Zadoc' gets more exciting every time you hear it. the opening bars build up with a growing sense of anticipation to the explosion from the choir and orchestra x

[@albertusmagnus5829]

I learned this wonderful piece of music as a choir boy at Manchester Grammar School in the early 70s and 50 years later I remember every word and note it imprinted on my brain as a work of genius - quality lasts through the ages ...

[@brucass93]

Thank you do much for this. Yes the opening is mystical

[@CristinaMarshal]

Beguiling! Utterly, and such splendid Animation you accompany it with - bravo!

[@joby19881]

Great vid, love that it's both informal and informative. Such a great way to explain the depth behind this wonderful and timeless piece. Thanks pal!

[@kcollins3451]

This guy is great!

[@suejackson5023]

I'm endlessly captivated by the piece.... mostly before the people rejoice, of course. A brilliant piece of writing.

[@westminster860]

A long time favorite piece. And a great little talk about it. ❤

[@nelsonfilho6587]

Thanks a lot! Hugs from Brasil!

[@jboekhoven5253]

I like your analysis very much! As a professional pianist I love music in itself, but it gets extra beauty for me when I also understand why a certain bit of music thrills or awes me.

[@pangalactictuber]

Not only is this piece a revelation to listen to, it also happens to be really, really fun to sing.

[@robertmueller2023]

I was asking my old Prof The Wizard ... how long does it take to master the keyboard? About 8-9 years until you can perform everything in the standard literature? Ravel, Beethoven, Balakirev ect? It finally becomes enjoyable around your fourth year when you can suddenly sight-read. The correct fingering become automatic.

[@musicstewart9744]

One man missed this the second time it was played at the Coronation for George 3rd because he was stuck in a carriage jam. Benjamin Franklin.

[@topotheleague]

I'm a football fan. Ive always loved the champions league and especially its anthem. I heard it was based on zadok a few years ago and it was a nice introduction into classical music. I found this video fascinating! The majesty and and excitement of the champions league anthem really inspired me as a kid, and it's so cool to know zadok's history. It really was a majestic and regal piece of music. Thanks :)

[@FamilyGuyVids11]

i love your videos and im learning a ton!

[@careyrowland]

Thank you for this fascinating analysis.

[@MusicaAngela]

Wonderful and timely video! I have subscribed. I only wish I’d had such a good music professor 40 years ago who could talk about music in such an interesting and enthusiastic way. Bravo!

[@tinovanderzwanphonocave544]

you are forgetting the bit where both Handel and Bach were influenced by Antonio Vivaldi and his mark is all over this piece! the mysterious tones it has, are the same as in pieces by arr Vivaldi pieces by Bach. and, even in his other works if they were played slower like the bwv903 Fantasia which I think is one of the few pieces Wanda Landowska might have done right and she doesn't note embodying Vivaldi here but she does in other work notes but, she nails it! composers at the time were not only glorifying Vivaldi by copying his work but including his style in their own work also sent the message to their idol bwv903 and Zadok are clear examples of that and, there are many more! I think the most important Vivaldi piece composers took notes from is what we now call the first part of Vivaldi's Winter of the now called four seasons the composers took from that what they could or wanted to make it sound impressive and Zadok sure is impressive!!

[@themusicprofessor]

You are right that Vivaldi was immensely influential.

[@Tampo-tiger]

Sir, have you featured in a television documentary programme or series at all? I imagine you have, but by the slim chance you don't then I really feel you have a wonderful television programme here waiting to be made - one which would be enjoyed by millions in every English-speaking country. You have an amazing gift for simplifying something so incredibly complex as a piece of classical music. I remember once watching a fascinating TV documentary about the elaborate construction of one or two of The Beatles' songs. I have never been able to locate it on KZbin due to my ignorance of the correct search terminology, but if that was not you who made the programme then you really SHOULD. Things like Pink Floyd, Genesis and also many of the blatantly commercial records are nonetheless highly intelligent and sophisticated, but really do need to be explained. Obviously great classical stuff should enjoy the same treatment. Yes, the more I think about it the more convinced I am that it was you who made or featured in that programme.

[@themusicprofessor]

Thank you. I have occasionally presented on BBC radio 4 and 3 but sadly not the Beatles programme you mention, although I have done a couple of little KZbin films, mainly for the benefit of people doing 'Revolver' on the A level syllabus (kzbin.info/www/bejne/gF7CiqqZp66Df68&ab_channel=TheMusicProfessor and kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3fTnmawbc-DprM&ab_channel=TheMusicProfessor.) I completely agree with you about the intelligence and sophistication of commercial music from that early 70s period. It was indeed a golden age!

[@antonydennant3584]

Absolutely brilliantly dissected, Mr King!

[@williamsackelariou1860]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@davidnjohn]

Thanks Prof! I really enjoyed that. Just discovered your channel. I’m going in …..

[@Badgersj]

I was forced to do piano lessons at school. I had no talent for it, I was totally incapable of playing one thing with one hand and another thing with the other and I hated it. Funnily enough it helped me to really appreciate this music - took me a year or two though!

[@paulinetaylor451]

Thank you very much for this excellent teaching. Brilliant. I loved it at the Coronation and now I know why.

[@gustinian]

I subsumed Handel's Zadok harmonies into my partimenti toolbox quite early on in my journey. The 3rd bar shift is so sublime, mystical somehow and yet so simple. Handel has a lot more to him than first meets the ear. Adore his organ concerti too. I particularly enjoyed the Boyce that was played - I must investigate him more too...

[@Trimethopimp]

This is one of those rare pieces of music that really does give you butterflies, and has become so symbolic of the coronation that the ceremony is almost impossible to imagine without it. I learned the tenor line just so i could sing along with that opening! I can't help but feel it's a shame it was written about the anointment, as let's be honest it would have made bloody good tv if the Archbishop of Canterbury slowly approached Charles through those opening bars, then *WHOMP* he slams the crown on his head on the 'Z' of Zadok!

[@TheNDMChannel]

Thank you - this has been an incredibly fascinating.