Celebrating The King’s Consort’s 100th CD, a huge period instrument orchestra, drawn from fifteen nations, the Choir of The King’s Consort and soloists Carolyn Sampson and David Wilson-Johnson present a glorious collection of some of the finest of all English ceremonial music, performed for the first time on period instruments.

Parry’s classic “I was glad”, heard at the Coronation of King George V in 1911, is partnered by an equally splendid Coronation “Te Deum” and the sumptuous double-choir setting “Blest pair of Sirens”, richly orchestrated. Stanford’s four magnificent settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis are performed on CD for the first time on period instruments in the composer’s original orchestrations, and include the evergreen Magnificat in G, whose orchestration is especially delicious, including a prominent part for harp, effortlessly played by Catrin Finch. Parry’s famous setting of “Jerusalem” is heard in Edward Elgar’s vivid orchestration.

This launch recording for the Vivat label was a 2013 Gramophone Awards finalist.