Stand-out moment from teenage cellist SHEKU KANNEH-MASON
Entire ceremony available on all streaming services globally today / Physical Release 25th May
Decca Records is proud to release The Official Recording of The Royal Wedding,
one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year. Having recorded the
entire service live at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle today, every
piece of music, the readings, blessings and the vows will be available
to listen to permanently on all streaming services in just a few hours: a
first for a Royal Wedding. The physical album, on CD, will then be
released into retail stores around the world from 25th May. The
recording will also be made available on vinyl. The album cover will be
replaced with an exclusive photograph from the wedding.
The musical highlight of the moving and joyous ceremony was British cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason,
one of the most exciting musicians of his generation, who was
personally asked by the bride and groom to perform at their wedding. The
19-year-old musician took centre stage for the all-important signing of
the register. Dressed in a black Paul Smith suit with vibrant pink tie,
Sheku played three beautiful pieces: Sicilienne by von Paradis, Schubert’s Ave Maria, and Après Un Rêve
by Fauré. He was accompanied by orchestra*, as the Royal Couple
officially became husband and wife. Knowing he was performing not only
for the Royal Family, 600 invited guests in the Chapel, and an estimated
global audience of up to three billion people, the talented teenager
was thrilled to be involved in the occasion:
“It was such an awesome moment – just really incredible to perform
for Prince Harry and Meghan at their wedding! The atmosphere was
amazing and I’m proud to have played a small part in the celebrations.
It’s a day I will remember for the rest of my life.” – Sheku Kanneh-Mason (Cellist)
Enhancing the emotion of the occasion, the personal musical choices of
Prince Harry and his new wife – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex – include
Handel’s Eternal Source of Light Divine, John Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You and the hymn Lord Of All Hopefulness, as well as two popular tracks performed by The Kingdom Choir conducted by Karen Gibson: Ben E. King’s hit song Stand By Me and the gospel tune This Little Light Of Mine. The orchestra was fronted by Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas
and accompanied by trumpet player David Blackadder, organist Luke Bond
and State Trumpeters from the Band of the Household Cavalry.
The album’s producer is one of the world’s most experienced, Anna Barry.
Grammy-nominated Ms Barry has produced over 500 recordings over 25
years, ranging from works by Andrew Lloyd Webber to opera at the
Mariinsky Theatre with Valery Gergiev, and many other legendary artists
including José Carreras and Zubin Mehta.
In a feat of both musical engineering and co-ordination, Anna and the
team are delivering a state of the art recording in record-breaking
time. The complicated logistical process includes the digital transfer
from St George’s Chapel to the mastering in a Kensington studio in order
to reach digital platforms faster even than for the wedding of the Duke
and Duchess of Cambridge.
The producer said of the recording, “It is a massive responsibility
with absolutely no room for error, so I will be relieved when it’s over,
but very happy and honoured to be a part of this day” – Anna Barry (Record Producer)
Decca Records is part of Universal Music, the world’s leading music
company, and has previously recorded and released the Wedding of The
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, as well as the Wedding of The
Prince and Princess of Wales in 1981, and the Funeral of Diana, Princess
of Wales in 1997. This uniquely original new recording, released today,
will be the next in a historic line to mark major milestones for The
Royal Family, and as such it will enter the homes of millions across the
whole world.
Rebecca Allen, President of Decca Records commented: “Decca
are hugely honoured to have been involved in recording this remarkable
day. The choices of music, and the artists involved, were of the highest
quality and will now be available for everyone around the world to
listen back to, again and again.”
Dickon Stainer, President & CEO, Global Classics & Jazz said: “Every
word and every note of music from this historic event are now captured
forever in the highest quality sound recording. It is something magical
and unforgettable.”
Decca will make a donation per album sold to support the charitable work
of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince
Harry. The Royal Foundation is used as the main vehicle for Their Royal
Highnesses’ philanthropic activities, including programmes such as
Heads Together, Coach Core, and the Endeavour Fund (reg. charity no.
1132048). Ms. Markle will join The Royal Foundation as its fourth Patron
following her marriage.
*The orchestra is made up of musicians from the BBC National
Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia,
conducted by Christopher Warren-Green.
Album Tracklisting:
1. Royal Salute (The Arrival Of Her Majesty The Queen And His Royal Highness The Duke Of Edinburgh) – The State Trumpeters
2. Rejoicing (The Arrival Of The Bride) – The State Trumpeters
3. Handel: Eternal Source of Light Divine (Birthday Ode for Queen Anne) HWV 74 – Elin Manahan Thomas (soprano)
4. The Welcome – The Right Reverend David Conner KCVO, Dean Of Windsor
5. The Preface – The Right Reverend David Conner KCVO, Dean Of Windsor
6. Traditional: Lord Of All Hopefulness – Luke Bond (organ), James Vivian (conductor), Choir Of St.George’s Chapel, Windsor
7. The Declarations – Prince Harry, Ms Meghan Markle, The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop Of Canterbury
8. The Collect – The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop Of Canterbury
9. Reading From The Song Of Solomon – Lady Jane Fellowes
10. Tallis: If Ye Love Me – James Vivian (conductor), Choir Of St.George’s Chapel, Windsor
11. The Address – The Most Reverend Michael Curry
12. Stand By Me – The Kingdom Choir, Karen Gibson (conductor)
13. The Vows – Prince Harry, Ms Meghan Markle, The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop Of Canterbury
14. The Giving Of The Rings – Prince Harry, Ms Meghan Markle, The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop Of Canterbury
15. The Proclamation – The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop Of Canterbury
16. Rutter: The Lord Bless You and Keep You – Luke Bond (organ), James Vivian (conductor), Choir Of St.George’s Chapel, Windsor
17. The Blessing Of The Marriage – The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop Of Canterbury
18. The Prayers – Archbishop Angaelos, The Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin
19. Hughes, Williams: Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer – Luke Bond
(organ), James Vivian (conductor), Choir Of St.George’s Chapel, Windsor
20. The Blessing – The Right Reverend David Conner KCVO, Dean Of Windsor
21. von Paradis: Sicilienne in E Flat Major (Arr. Hazell) – Sheku
Kanneh-Mason (cello), Christopher Warren-Green (conductor), Members of
the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, English Chamber Orchestra and
Philharmonia Orchestra
22. Fauré: Après Un Rêve, Op.7 (Arr. Hazell) – Sheku Kanneh-Mason
(cello), Christopher Warren-Green (conductor), Members of the BBC
National Orchestra of Wales, English Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia
Orchestra
23. Schubert: Ave Maria, D.839 (Arr. Hazell) – Sheku Kanneh-Mason
(cello), Christopher Warren-Green (conductor), Members of the BBC
National Orchestra of Wales, English Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia
Orchestra
24. Traditional: National Anthem – The State Trumpeters, Luke Bond
(organ), Christopher Warren-Green (conductor), Members of the BBC
National Orchestra of Wales, English Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia
Orchestra, James Vivian (choir conductor), Choir Of St.George’s Chapel,
Windsor
25. Boyce: 1. Allegro (Symphony No.1 in B flat Major) – Christopher
Warren-Green (conductor), Members of the BBC National Orchestra of
Wales, English Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra
26. Amen, This Little Light Of Mine – The Kingdom Choir, Karen Gibson (conductor)
27. Traditional: Grandsire Triples Quarter Peal – Bell Ringers Of St George’s
NB. Bold titles indicate spoken word
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