Happy Birthday Handel

Georg Friederich Handel, the composer of my favorite piece of classical music Messiah, was born on March 5, 1685 in Prussia. Having moved to Britain in 1712, he became a British citizen in 1727 and is considered a British composer. Most of his great works such as Messiah, Music for the Royal Fireworks, and Water Music were composed while he lived in England.

He also wrote scores of operas, oratorios, and concerti grossi. In 1727 he was commissioned to write four anthems for the coronation of George II. One of these anthems has been played at each coronation since. The words to Zadok the Priest come from the King James Bible, 1st Kings where David instructs Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet to anoint Solomon King over Israel. Here are the words as used in the anthem:

Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon King. And all the people rejoiced, and said: God save the King! Long live the King! May the King live for ever, Amen, Alleluia.

This being baroque music, there are of course, many repeated phrases. 

Here is a video of the Westminster Abbey Choir and Choristers of the Chapel Royal performing the piece with organ accompaniment. The striking thing is that this is how this sounded in Handel’s time. And if it isn’t, he’d probably come up through the floor, for this is where Handel is buried, having died in April 1759.

Oh, by the way, soccer fans know this better as the Champions League Anthem. (Different words, of course.)