The 1953 Coronation was musically the best for some time, or probably since Handel's time. The premiere of Walton's Te Deum itself constituted a major event, and of course there was the new Coronation March, Orb and Sceptre which, after Crown Imperial, provoked speculation on what items of regalia were left for a future occasion. ''Sword and Spurs'' suggested some, while others favoured ''Rod and Garter''. When it had been performed a few time, a competition flourished among my contemporaries to fit words, ''Land of Hope and Glory'' style, to the trio-section: EG's I remember, ended triumphantly with ''the old red, whiite and blue''.
In this record we hear both of Walton's marches, one after the other—not such a good idea perhaps. Otherwise the decision to leave the musical items in their order within the service works fairly well, with not too many noisy ones in succession. The complete form of service is published in the booklet, printed in a fittingly ceremonious style and graced with an introduction by Archbishop Fisher. Most of the music is included, though not, for instance, Gibbons's O clap your hands. There is no attempt to assemble comparable forces (the choir of over 400 and the full orchestra) but the English Chamber Orchestra very suitably accompany the Abbey Choir, the organ is heard in all its magnificence, and the brass bring their own gifts of majesty and colour.
This cannot have been an easy recording to make: quite apart from the roar of London's traffic, there are obvious problems of balance, and personally I would have preferred in several instances to have had the choir further forward. But everything is clear and most is impressive. The energy and effortless mastery of form in Stanford's Gloria, for example, are by no means diminished by juxtaposition with Walton, whose Te Deum, brilliant as it is, shows notably less skill in joinery (he admitted to having ''a spot of bother with the Virgin's womb''). Anyway, the service made good use of its talents: at the thought of the next coronation, and purely in musical terms, one sings ''long to reign over us'' with renewed fervour.'