Handel's Celebrated Coronation Anthems in Score for Voices and Instruments Vol. I. [HWV 258, 261, and 259]. [Full score] by HANDEL, George Frideric 1685-1759 - 1743

London: Printed for I, Walsh, in Catherine Street in ye. Strand, 1743. Folio. Contemporary dark tan suede with decorative blindstamping, dark red leather title label gilt. 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 2-53, [i] (blank), 55-66 pp. Engraved throughout.

First Edition. Smith p. 150, no. 1. This issue not in BUC. RISM H1159 and HH1159. Occasional contemporary manuscript double slashes to delineate systems.

Bound with:
Handel. The Anthem which was Perform'd in Westminster Abby at the Funeral of Her most Sacred Majesty Queen Caroline ... Vol. II. [HWV 264]. London: J. Walsh, [1743 or earlier]. 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 2-86 pp., with Coronation Anthem "The King Shall Rejoice" [HWV 260] to pp. 55-86. Engraved throughout. First Edition. Smith p. 153, no. 1. This issue not in BUC. RISM H1181 and HH1181.

Binding worn, rubbed, and bumped. Slightly worn, soiled, stained, and browned; short tear to one leaf repaired with archival tape. "Despite his involvement with opera, Handel found time for other musical activities in the 1720s. On 25 February 1723 he was made Composer of Music for His Majesty's Chapel Royal - an honorary appointment because, as an alien, he could not hold an office of profit under the Crown. The title seems simply to have given official recognition to his role in supplying occasional music for the Chapel Royal, which in the mid-1720s included three orchestrally accompanied anthems and the Te Deum in A, all based to some extent on works written for Cannons. An exceptional opportunity for ceremonial church music arose after the unexpected death of George I in June 1727. For the coronation of his successor George II and his consort Queen Caroline at Westminster Abbey on 11 October Handel provided four new anthems of great splendour, showing how much he welcomed the chance to use the massed forces not available to him in the opera house. They included Zadok the Priest, which has been sung at every subsequent coronation of a British monarch. According to Burney (Sketch, p.34) Handel 'took offence' at being provided with the words of the anthems 'by the bishops', murmuring 'I have read my Bible very well, and shall chuse for myself'." Anthony Hicks in Grove Music Online 

An attractive ensemble of lifetime first editions of Handel's sacred works, including the first edition of Zadok the Priest, (HWV 258), one of Handel's most iconic and recognizable works, still performed for every British coronation.