The Coronation of King Charles III was watched by millions of people across the globe last weekend, with music playing a central role in the historic proceedings.

Not only was that the case at Westminster Abbey during event itself, but at the same time in many different countries, including Taiwan, where the Hermes Wind Orchestra gave a performance of Edward Gregson's 'The Kings go Forth' under the direction of its British conductor, Douglas Bostock

The performance took place at 6.00pm to coincide with the crowning in London.

Dramatic work

'The Kings go Forth' is a dramatic work which portrays the balance of power between the Church, the State and the people.

It includes the singing of monks, off-stage fanfares, antiphonal timpani and solo tenor, as well as a raucous jazz interlude with electric bass guitar, an Irish folk group with a female singer, violin, recorder and a rustic drum. The composition concludes with a coronation scene."

'The Kings go Forth' is a dramatic work which portrays the balance of power between the Church, the State and the people4BR

Thrilled

Edward Gregson told 4BR: "I was thrilled to hear that it was being played to coincide with the events in London."

The composer told 4BR that the work was originally commissioned jointly by the Royal Air Force Music Service and an American Universities Consortium and received its world premiere during the 1996 RAF British Tour.

It is a sequel to 'The Sword and the Crown' which was premiered in 1991 — a work that also reflected the royalty of the Plantagenets and Henry IV.