As Australia, much like the rest of the world, winds down from the excitement of the Royal Wedding, the romance has been captured forever with the release of the Official Album. The live recording of the wedding ceremony held in Westminster Abbey on April 29 is digitally now available on iTunes and the physical album will be on sale by Australian retailers from May 6, with pre-ordering an option for those who can’t wait until Friday. Pre-order your copy from Getmusic today!
This album includes the vows, the blessings, the prayers and, of course, the music.
The musical choices of Prince William and Catherine Middleton cover the best of British – both traditional and newly commissioned pieces – and all regal, joyous, uplifting and moving.
Some of Britain’s most famous composers Elgar (Pomp & Circumstance March No.5), Vaughan Williams (Rhosymedre Prelude) and Walton (Crown Imperial) are included on the album, while Sir Hubert Parry contributes not only Jerusalem and I Was Glad (both, incidentally, heard at the 1981 Royal Wedding between Charles and Diana), but also Blest Pair of Sirens, and a march from The Birds.
There is a specially-written world premiere from one of today’s most gifted and popular composers, John Rutter (This Is The Day), and – the special choice of Kate – a recently composed piece from the 35-year-old Welsh choral composer, Paul Mealor. His original work, Ubi caritas, was premiered at St Andrew’s University last year, where the couple met. Both of these recordings are only available on this album.
The performers at the ceremony included The Choir of Westminster Abbey, The Chapel Royal Choir of St James’ Palace, The London Chamber Orchestra and The Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.
The Royal Wedding – The Official Album
1. The Arrival of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh – Fanfare
2. The Procession of The Queen – March from The Birds (Parry)
3. Prelude on Rhosymedre (Vaughan Williams)
4. The Procession of the Bride – Anthem: I Was Glad (Parry)
5. Hymn: Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (Cwm Rhondda) (Hughes)
6. The Welcome and Introduction
7. The Marriage
8. The Vows
9. Hymn: Love Divine (Blaenwern) (Rowlands)
10. The Lesson
11. The Anthem: This is the Day Which The Lord Hath Made (Rutter)
12. The Address
13. The Motet: Ubi Caritas (Mealor)
14. The Prayers
15. Hymn: Jerusalem (Parry)
16. The Blessing
17. The National Anthem (Trad.)
18. The Signing of the Register – Blest Pair of Sirens (Parry)
19. Fanfare: Valiant and Brave (Stubbs)
20. The Procession of the Bride and Bridegroom – Crown Imperial (Walton)
21. Toccata from Symphonie V (Widor)
*Bold titles indicate spoken word
