Handel Coronation Anthems in Urtext editions for the first time

“Zadok the Priest”(BA 10258) and “The King shall rejoice”(BA 10259) are the best-known of the four coronation anthems that Handel wrote for the crowning of George II in London (1727). HWV 258 accompanied the king’s anointment, HWV 260 his actual coronation.

Thanks to their festive and majestic structure befitting the occasion as well as their spacious scoring for large choir and orchestra, it comes as no surprise that motifs f...