Connah’s Quay: Paul Mealor “absolutely delighted” to compose piece for King’s Coronation

A royal composer from Deeside has said he is “absolutely delighted” to have been asked to write a piece of music for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, taking place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

Professor Paul Mealor, who was raised in Connah’s Quay, is one of 12 composers hand-picked by King Charles to write music for the coronation, which will showcase some of the best British music and talent.

His ‘Coronation Kyrie’ marks the first Welsh language performance at a coronation, to be sung by bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and the Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Paul, who composed music for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding, has described it as the “honour of a lifetime” to produce an entirely new piece of music for the historical event.

“It is the most amazing honour to be asked to produce a piece of music for such an important historic occasion.”

“We have a King who has shown great support for a wide variety of music over many years and is a passionate advocate for music.”

“It is a privilege to be a part of an occasion of this scale. Many of us will not experience another coronation in our lifetimes,” said Professor Mealor.

The coronation will feature six orchestral commissions, five choral commissions, and one organ commission, specially composed for the occasion by British composers whose styles include classical, sacred, film, television, and musical theatre.

It is not the first time that Professor Mealor has composed music for the King and the Queen Consort, who is Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen.

“I am grateful to have been given this wonderful opportunity following on from a number of previous occasions where I have written for both His Majesty and Her Majesty The Queen Consort.”

A decade ago, I was busy preparing music for Her Majesty The Queen Consort’s installation as the University’s Chancellor,” said Professor Mealor.

During a Welsh Parliament debate about the coronation this week, Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant congratulated Professor Mealor for his achievement.

“I want to highlight the role of one local Connah’s Quay resident, and a relation of Deputy Minister Hannah Blythyn, Paul Mealor.”

“Perhaps I should give him his full title, which is the royal composer Professor Paul Mealor.”

“Paul is composing the first performance yn Gymraeg at a coronation – a piece of history; a historic day for Paul, a historic day for Deeside, a historic day for the United Kingdom. Pob lwc, Paul, the Quay is proud of you,” Jack added.

Speaking afterwards, Jack said, “What a brilliant achievement from Paul, performing a really pivotal role in tomorrow’s historic coronation.”

“The Quay will be watching with a real sense of pride. Tomorrow will be an amazing day, and a local person taking such a role is the icing on the cake.”