A complete recording of the King’s coronation ceremony will be released globally on the day of the historic event.
The recording, featuring both the music and spoken word from the ceremony, will be available to stream and download on 6 May.
It is the first time in history that such a recording has been produced, marking an unprecedented event in both recorded music and British royal history.
The Official Album of the Coronation will feature 12 brand new works commissioned by Charles, including the coronation anthem “Make A Joyful Noise” – composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The complete album will be over four hours long, and feature performances from eight choirs, six conductors, two organists, as well as a specially selected “Coronation Orchestra”, among others.
Physical versions of the album, featuring the entire service and all new commissions, will be available in stores globally from 15 May, with a special deluxe collector’s CD and vinyl following later in the year.
It will be exclusively recorded at Westminster Abbey and released by Decca Records, with an official photograph from the day as the cover art.
The ceremony is set to feature a range of musical styles and performers, blending tradition, heritage and ceremony with the new musical voices of today to reflect Charles’ life-long support of music and the arts.
As well as the newly commissioned pieces, the King has personally shaped and selected the musical programme for the service.
The six orchestral commissions, five choral commissions and one organ commission, have been specially written by world-renowned British composers.
Between them, the 12 composers have more than 80 Bafta, Oscar, Grammy, Tony, Olivier, Golden Globe, Emmy, World Soundtrack Award and ASCAP awards and nominations.
A separate studio recording of Lord Lloyd-Webber’s coronation anthem will also be released on May 6, as well as the live recording from the ceremony itself.
The studio recording will feature The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Choir of Westminster Abbey, The Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force and the Abbey sub-organist Peter Holder, conducted by organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey, Andrew Nethsingha.
The Official Coronation Album will be produced by world-renowned classical record producer, Anna Barry, who has produced over 500 recordings of distinction over 35 years.
Her previous work includes the wedding of the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011 and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018.
Decca records, part of Universal Music Group, has previously released multiple commemorative albums such as for the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday celebrations, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and the weddings of William and Kate, and Harry and Meghan.
Co-presidents of Decca Label Group, Tom Lewis and Laura Monks, said: “Coronation services have been taking place since the 11th century.
“Never before has a complete recording been made available to global audiences to stream and download on the same day.
“Decca has a longstanding and proud association with the British royal family and we are delighted to be once again making recorded music history together.”
The Coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla: The Official Album of the Coronation will be released in support of the Royal British Legion and Age UK charities.
