I was glad - Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695)

The introit I was glad with its text taken from Psalm 122 was written by the 26 year old Henry Purcell for the coronation of James II in 1685. The event is exceptionally well documented, thanks to Francis Sandford whose History of the Coronation of James II is an exhaustively detailed and sumptuously illustrated account published two years afterwards. It lists all of the many musicians who took part, including the choir of Westminster Abbey and that of the Chapel Royal, the State trumpeters and drummers, and also the 24 Violins of the king. (James' father, Charles II, had admired the "24 violons du Roy" at the court of Louis XIV during his exile in the Commonwealth period, and upon his return to England had founded his own group to play at his coronation in 1661). There were no fewer than nine anthems performed at the coronation of 1685, composed by William Turner, John Blow and his pupil, Purcell.

After the coronation procession had reached the West door of the Abbey, the choir moved forward alone, entering just ahead of the King and Queen and singing the introit I was glad. For much of its length the piece is bold and direct in its setting: the music moves in block chords to put across the text clearly, but also to make coordination with the procession easier! But rather than it sounding restrained rhythmically, the music is kept interesting by some fascinating key changes and harmonic surprises: for instance at the words O Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and again at Peace be within thy walls. Just before the end, however - by which time the choir would have arrived safely in its gallery and be able to watch a conductor - Purcell finally unleashes his array of choral finery, and launches into a Gloria full of dazzling contrapuntal ingenuity with the final phrase world without end ringing out like peels of celebratory bells.


[Note to other societies: you are welcome to use the whole or parts of this text in your own programmes, but if you do please (i) let us know, and (ii) include an acknowledgement to the Aylesbury Choral Society and this website in your programme.]

---

Click here for a Real Audio excerpt from Amazon.co.uk.


Amazon.co.uk advertised just one recording in February 2002:

Purcell-Anthems & Services, Vol.7 Hyperion CDA66677

Text links: Home  Choir  Conductor  Members
Leave a comment or contact us at info@aylesburychoral.org.uk