I couldn’t let this weekend pass without a nod to the new age dawning upon us here in the UK. The Coronation of King Charles III will no doubt be a traditional and lavish affair, and whether you are a fan of the royal family or not, the sheer scale of this historical event is impressive.
Music will be at the heart of the Coronation weekend. The Coronation, held at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May (tomorrow), showcases a wonderful collection of music – some of which one might expect to hear at such an occasion, whilst other works have been specially commissioned for the ceremony. You can view the music and order of ceremony, here.
On Sunday 7th May, there will be a concert at Windsor Castle, celebrating a vast array of music from all styles and genres. With this in mind, I have written my own small contribution; a short piano piece for students.
Anthem For A New Age is around intermediate level (approximately Grade 4 – 5) and was written earlier this week. Unashamedly tonal and in the key of D major, for me, this key offers a sense of grandeur. Employing much of the keyboard, Anthem For The New Age should ideally be played fairly majestically and with plenty of rubato; the sustaining pedal plays an important role. The overall sound is intended to imitate the resonance and reverberation one might expect to hear in a cathedral.
You can download the score by clicking on the link below. I hope you enjoy playing it.
Anthem For A New Age by Melanie Spanswick
Publications
Melanie Spanswick has written and published a wide range of courses, anthologies, examination syllabuses, and text books, including Play it again: PIANO (published by Schott Music). This best-selling graded, progressive piano course contains a large selection of repertoire featuring a huge array of styles and genres, with copious practice tips and suggestions for every piece.
For more information, please visit the publications page, here.
Melanie Spanswick 