On April 29, 2011, about two billion people worldwide were glued to the TV to watch the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. As with previous weddings and funerals of the British royal family, the Decca label recorded this event. The crème de la crème of London music life made an appearance in the festively decorated Westminster Abbey for a musically traditional gathering. Many top
… hits from the British ceremonial and liturgical repertoire were reviewed, including the solemn march from The Birds and the anthem I Was Glad by Hubert Parry. A highlight was the premiere of two motets that framed the sermon: This Is The Day by John Rutter and Ubi Caritas by Paul Mealor (a fellow villager of the bridal couple). Another climax were the monumental hymn Jerusalem and the motet Blest Pair Of Sirens, again by Parry. Under the lavish Crown Imperial of William Walton and Widor's famous organ occata, the new couple left the church, marking this sixteenth royal wedding at Westminster Abbey. (JWvR)more
