New-York tribune., 1902-06-08

sects They are known in the hyrnnals ''St.
Anne's" and "Hanover'-titles that to pre-
serve the names of the church in which he off,
ciated as organist for short time and the royal
house which he served in the ceremony of its
establishment in England An interesting bio
graphical study of William Croft by Mr.. F. c.
Edwards Ito whom am beholden for much help
the preparation of these articles, appeared IN
1.-The Musical Times for September. 1900.
1t is illustrative of the difficulties which beset
study like the one am pursuing that. though the
great Handel himself specially commissioned
for the purpose and composed four anthems for
the coronation of George II Q727-1760) are sttI
in the dark on several questions touching the
function which took place October H. 1727. There
were garruous gossfps aplenty in that day. but
has told how HandeIs music was received.
We cannot even be positi:e that all four of the
anthems actually performed According to
publication ordered by Ulster King Of Arms, only
three had place in the official programme: &C
cording to a detailed account published in Han
over, all the music composed was performed. Han
oeis painsta aking biographer. Chrysanoer, pins his
faith TO the German publication, and fancies that
the account printed by command of Ulster King
of Arms was not a record, but an anticipation.
The four anthems Of which the autograph manu-
scripts have descended to King Edward VII bear
these titles: "Zadok the Priest for voicesl,
The King shall rejoice" (siX voices. Let thy
hand be strengthened" five voices) MY heart
is inditing five voices). Ali have orchestral ac-
compartments Handel had been in the service
English throne. He English subject. Com
poser OF Musick for the Chapel Royal and Musick
Master TO the Queen though Mr.. Edwards is OF
the opinion that the former title was conferred
upon him for the purpose of the specific duty which
devolve6 upon him at the coronation -Four months
elapsed between the death Of George and the en-
thronement of his SON. The autographs bear no
dates but the fact that the last anthem bears the
word fine indicates that it was composed last as
IL surely was performed last IN the ceremony
that The klng
shall rejoice was sung after the act or homage
''Zadok the Priest" after the OATH ana Mv heaFt
is inditing" at the close of the service de cannot
tell the place in the order of service OF the remain
ing anthem but has no doubt whatever that it was
performed The official publication OF Ulster hihs
of Arms (Which appeared in Dublin gives the list
and order of anthems sung the coronation as
follows:
!. u was glad" after the procession
The King shall rejoice after @ The the recognition
sbSS Bebofd. o 8 coz after the anSIa5ing
s. My soul hath a desire" during the act of
Z My heart is inditing' after the amounting
and coronation Of the Queen
Burney is responsible for a story 10 the effect
that the bishops sent words for the anthems 10
Handel, and that he resented the act as implying
ignorance of the Holy Scriptures on his part. I
have read my Bible very WELL" he is reported to
have said and shall choose for myself There is
10 particular for doubling the story, but
the fact remains that three Of the four texts were
more or less traditional Zadok the Priest" and
Let thy hand be strengthened" Latin anti
phons. dated back to Ethelred II. Tomkns COM
posed the English 'Zadok'' for Charles ], and
Lawes for Charles II; Let thy hand be strength
ened" was of equal antiquity in Latin. and dated
back to James in English (see the first article of
this series published on June u. THE King shall
rejoice" was set by Tomkins for Charles /. So
far as the texts concerned therefore. HandeFs
only original contribution list OF coronation
anthems was My heart is inditing, the text of
which indicates that II chosen for the place
assigned to it in the Dublin account. AS see:
Ny heart IS inditing of good tier: / speak of
the things which have made unto the king.