Georg Friedrich Händel

Zadok The Priest

Handel wrote his magnificent Zadock the Priest for the Coronation of King George II and Queen Caroline in 1727, and it has been performed at every British coronation since then. It is often used in royal weddings, as well, and is the television theme for the UEFA Cup champsionships.
This Zadock the Priest is scored for SSAATB Chorus and Piano. Its familiar opening no longer carries the surprise element it once did, with the mezzoforte String passage leading to a sudden tutti forte entrance with the words 'Zadok the Priest', but it retains its effectiveness. The middle passage is a dancelike ¾ rhythm before the work returns to stately 4/4 for the God Save the King, alleluiasand amens.