Magnificent works by Bullock, Handel and Elgar, a few US musical hits, “Dancing Queen” by Abba, jubilant songs by Queen and Duran Duran, evil by the Sex Pistols and The Smiths: the playlist for the Queen’s jubilee party.
The Queen is celebrating her jubilee – music should not be missing, as was the case at the magnificent coronation service with all the choirs, fanfares, marches and hymns.
But Elizabeth II (96), who has a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in music as an honorary title, is also a child of the pop motherland Great Britain and in this respect – that much is considered certain – an accomplished fan. And because not everyone is a royal -Admirer is: Two diatribes from the common people also belong on the playlist for the big celebration of the world’s longest-serving monarch from June 2nd.
Ernest Bullock and George Frideric Handel
Although Elizabeth II formally assumed the regency in 1952, her coronation did not take place until the following year. It was a major international TV event of a whole new dimension, the music for it couldn’t be bombastic enough (now re-documented on the CD “The Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, 2nd June 1953”). Highlights from the compilation of 500 years of English church, choral and ceremonial music are: the fanfares by Sir Bullock (1890-1979), including a blaring “God Save The Queen!”, and the coronation anthem by Handel, a Londoner by choice (1685 -1759).
Edward Elgars «Nursery Suite»
Somewhat surprisingly from today’s perspective, no piece by the great British composer Elgar (1857-1934) was played in Westminster Abbey in 1953. Whether Elizabeth II. his iconic “Pomp
The Queen loves musicals
In addition to classical music, Elizabeth II probably also loves musicals. As “Klassik Radio” found out last year, she was particularly taken with Berlin’s masterpiece “Annie Get Your Gun”, which premiered in New York in 1946, and “Oklahoma!”, a genre milestone by Rodgers/Hammerstein three years earlier. After meeting the Queen, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber claimed that one of her favorite songs was Cole Porter’s “Miss Otis Regrets”, made famous by jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald.
The Beach Boys und Abba
Pop music doesn’t have to be British to please the Queen. According to “Klassik Radio”, the sunny song “California Girls” by the Californian beach boys around songwriter genius Brian Wilson is high on the royal hit list. Almost too good to be true: According to TV presenter Chris Evans, the lady from Buckingham Palace is said to be “Dancing Queen” by the Swedish pop legends Abba. Elizabeth II is quoted as saying: «I always try to dance the same way when this song comes on. Because I’m the Queen and I like to dance.” Speaking of which: According to the magazine “Gala”, her cousin Lady Elizabeth Anson described her as a fantastic dancer and praised her “great sense of rhythm”.
Gary Barlow und Wham!
There is plenty of good pop from England – the Queen also has some favorites from her native island. Gary Barlow, lead singer of Take That, contributes the choral ballad “Sing” (2012) with The Commonwealth Band to the anniversary playlist, which he presented to the heir to the throne Prince Charles for a video. George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley aka Wham! («Last Christmas», «Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go») are said to have inspired Elizabeth II. Pop manager Bryan Morrison once said that “all the hits from Wham! knows and has spent a lot of time listening to their songs». You will hardly find out more precisely – because like so much in the life of the monarch, her taste in music is kept secret in detail.
Queen, Duran Duran and Hans Zimmer
It is logical that the mega band Queen in its current line-up should not be missing at the big anniversary pop concert for the Queen. That would also reserve a playlist spot for guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and Freddie Mercury substitute Adam Lambert (“We Are The Champions”). The list of participants for the “Platinum Party at the Palace” on June 4 reads impressively. Duran Duran (“The Wild Boys”), once Princess Diana’s favorite band, should also be there – alongside Diana Ross, Alicia Keys, Elbow, Andrea Bocelli, Celeste and Sam Ryder. The German colors at the London pop party are represented by soundtrack Oscar winner Hans Zimmer (“Dune”).
Sex Pistols and The Smiths
This is where things get really angry for royal fans, but not every musician liked and still likes the royal family. Punk rock exploded 45 years ago in a hate song: “God Save The Queen” spat out Sex Pistols singer Johnny Rotten – translated something like this: “God protect the Queen!/the fascist regime!/ (…) God protect them Queen!/She is not a human being.» The band The Smiths, named after a very common English subject name, around the grumpy frontman Morrissey, even irreverently titled one of their best songs and an entire album “The Queen Is Dead” in 1986. You don’t have to find it nice, but it’s part of it.
