George II chose Handel for coronation music [audio 30min]

Bridget Kendall turns the clock back to 18th century London and Westminster Abbey for the last programme in the series looking at the role played by music at some of the most significant political and royal events in history. After the unexpected death of George I in 1727, his son George II was keen to make a big splash. Sweeping aside tradition and clearly possessing a theatrical bent, the new king decided on Handel, the famous composer of opera as the best person to write four anthems for his coronation service. The music included gems such as the magnificent Tallis' litany O God, the Father of Heaven, and Purcell's I Was Glad. Handel more than rose to the occasion producing some of the best ceremonial music ever heard, including the legendary Zadok the Priest.