Walton - Coronation Te Deum - Coronation of King Charles III, 2023

Having mentioned the Coronation in my previous post; what better way to remember the Coronation, and the fabulous musicians of Westminster Abbey / The Chapel Royal / Truro Cathedral / Belfast Methodist College / The Monteverdi Choir, than by enjoying this brilliant rendition of the Walton Coronation Te Deum.

This is a piece that originally premiered at Queen Elizabeth's Coronation in 1953. But it didn't really get a performance that did it justice. The rehearsals were rushed, the music a bit too difficult for the choirs involved, the co-ordination pretty off. The recording from 1953 is messy and uninspired.

This 2023 recording rescues the piece entirely, bringing it to life (in a natty chamber orchestra arrangement from John Rutter, which still sounds huge and impressive.) The performance is exemplary.