The Coronation of King Charles III - Decca - missing music

Started by Christopher, Wednesday 27 September 2023, 16:37

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Christopher

I apologise if this isn't appropriate here (in which case moderators please do delete!).  Does anyone have any contacts at Decca Classics (part of Universal)?

I bought a double CD of "The Official Album of The Coronation: The Complete Recording", a Decca Classics CD.  Over a third of the music is missing.  I wanted to give to classical-music loving friends overseas as an example of British music, and British performers, at their finest (I think most, whatever their views on the Monarchy, would agree that the music was pretty special, and exceptionally performed).

I rang the number given on Decca Classics website, my heart sank when I got someone very trendy saying "Universal Music", who then proceeded to tell me that she hadn't heard of "that album" or "the artists who sang it" and put me through to a dead voicemail box.  I rang again and got someone else, who insisted that Decca could choose to omit items on a CD that it had included on streaming. I would dispute this - if they had won the rights to produce the "Official" album, and call it "The Complete Recording", then something is wrong here!

The full list of works performed is listed here: https://www.deccaclassics.com/en/catalogue/products/the-coronation-of-their-majesties-king-charles-iii-and-queen-camilla-12992

 - however the following pieces are missing from the 2CD (they are ALL from the first hour of the ceremony, making me think an oversight has happened and that this should have been a 3CD):

- Bach: Magnificant anima mea
- Bach: Christmas Oratorio BWV248 Pt.5 "Sunday after New Year"
- Bach: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV190
- Bruckner: Ecce sacerdos magnus
- Bach: Alla breve in D major, BWV589
- Holst: The Planets "Jupiter"
- Jenkins: Over the Stone
- Walton: Crown Imperial
- Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves
- Purcell: Trumpet Tune
- Handel: Solomon, The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
- Handel: Joshua, Oh had I Jubal's lyre
- Handel: Flourish for an occasion
- Vaughan Williams: The Preludes for Organ "Rhosymedre"

I had particularly wanted it for the Bruckner "Ecce sacerdos magnus", an amazing piece I had never heard before!

Alan Howe

We'll keep this thread open if anyone can help, but otherwise most of the pieces listed fall outside our remit.

Christopher

Thanks for that Alan, much appreciated. Funnily enough it's the Bruckner that I bought it for.  I'd never heard that piece before and it blew me away.

Mark Thomas

Bruckner's Ecce sacerdos magnus is a wonderful piece and there are many recordings of it, although I do understand why you wanted one of the Coronation performance - it was electric.

Alan Howe

Funnily enough I've just been on the same page at Presto. There are various different versions, depending on whether you want one with orchestral accompaniment or not.

Christopher

This is the version as sung at the Coronation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze3GdB3L2Oc

And this is another recording that I have since discovered and like - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCDZATJvBZg

But youtube links aren't the same as having a CD, especially of an occasion like that.  I'll bottle that rant before it gets out of control, save to say that it's also insulting to the singers and orchestra and crew - the rehearsals and overall hard work for it must have been particularly intense.

Christopher

The full recording has arrived, most importantly (for me) including the Ecce Sacerdos/Bruckner. Am now very satisfied. 4 CDs! Just as well it's a dreary Saturday outside...

https://coronation.decca.com/products/the-coronation-of-their-majesties-king-charles-iii-queen-camilla-4cd