Review

George Frederic Handel
Zadok the Priest: for Brass Quintet and Organ

Arranged by Damiano Drei

Piccolo trumpet in b-flat, Trumpet in C, Horn in F, Trombone, Tuba, Organ

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2023
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass
Secondary Genre: Chamber Music

George Frederic Handel composed four anthems for the coronation of King George II of England in 1727. Zadok the Priest is by far the most celebrated of the four and has been performed at the coronation of every British monarch since its composition, up to and including the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the 2023 coronation of King Charles III.

The text has ancient historical connections and was originally derived from the biblical account of the anointing of King Solomon. In fact the title, Zadok the Priest, references the high priest who anointed Solomon in the biblical story. The words of the traditional antiphon "Unxerunt Salomonem" have been used in coronations since 973 CE, and according to some accounts, Handel personally selected the text for his 1727 Coronation Anthems.

Known for its majestic sound, the powerful trumpet fanfares and grand choral sections translate nicely to this arrangement for brass quintet and organ. The work is frequently heard in modern times with full orchestra, chorus, and organ; however, the original instrumentation was more likely scored for four-part mixed chorus, strings, organ, sparse winds, brass, and timpani. In this arrangement, the organ assumes the full role of the strings and winds of the original, and yields brass and choral moments to the brass quintet. Though the work conveys the pomp and ceremony of the most formal British coronations, it is, at its core, a work of timeless beauty and translates well to the noble sound of brass quintet and organ.

The arranger, Damiano Drei, has carefully scored the parts so the demands are manageable. The arrangement is set in concert E-flat Major. The B-flat piccolo trumpet part is set with ample rest and ascends no higher than bb2. The horn part ascends to bb and features some technical passages in the final allegro section. The trombone and tuba parts are conservative in range, yet require some exciting technique in the mid-register. The organ part is thoughtfully scored and includes some conservative foot pedaling. This arrangement is highly recommended for your brass quintet collection and is ideal for your next collaboration with organ.