Zadok The Priest Sheet Music/Score

Zadok the Priest is a coronation anthem composed by George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) using texts from the King James Bible.

Handel, who was born on 23. February 1685 in Halle, Germany moved to England in 1723 and lived in 25 Brook Street, London until his death. He became an English citizen when King George I. signed an act for naturalizing him and others in 1727. In the same year he was commissioned to write the music for the coronation service of King George II.

“Zadok the Priest” is one of four coronation anthems and is the only one that has been performed at succeeding coronations. The other anthems Handel composed are: ”The King Shall Rejoice”, “My Heart is Inditing” and “Let thy Hand be Strenghtened”.

The anthem “Zadok the Priest” is based on the coronation of King Salomon who came to the throne after his father David had died and Zadok had served as a priest during David´s reign. The recounting of Salomon´s coronation can be found in I. Kings, Chapter 1. Handel´s is not a direct quote, but a paraphrase, probably by the composer himself.