Andrew Lloyd Webber Releases New Choral Anthem Inspired by Psalm 98 for Kings Coronation
On Saturday, May 6, 2023, Decca Records will release a new single of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s specially commissioned Anthem for the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla, entitled Make A Joyful Noise. The work will be performed live for the very first time at the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey.
Webber is also making the sheet music available for free so that choirs and congregations around the world can sing this new anthem to celebrate joyful events.
‘Make A Joyful Noise’ was secretly recorded in a studio in preparation for the single release. The new piece of music will be performed (and recorded live) at the ceremony. The studio version of the single is officially released on Saturday, May 6, when it will be made available to the public, marking the historic occasion.
When Andrew Lloyd Webber discussed the text with His Majesty The King they talked about the writings of Solomon and Lloyd Webber suggested adapting Psalm 98 with its appropriate message “Make A Joyful Noise unto the Lord, the King”. Of the Anthem, the composer recently said: “I played, and tried to sing, my early score for The King a few weeks ago. It seems so appropriate to the moment in the Coronation service.”
Of this single release, Andrew Lloyd Webber commented:
I hope my Anthem will encourage everyone across the country to go and ‘Make A Joyful Noise’ in honour of this fantastic national occasion and will be sung by many at other joyful occasions in the future.
The Anthem includes a short opening and closing fanfare played by the Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force. The Anthem is scored for The Choir of Westminster Abbey with Abbey sub-organist Peter Holder, conducted by Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey, Andrew Nethsingha. The studio recording of the work features The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord
Psalm 98
98 Oh sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
9 before the Lord, for he comes
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
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