The Royal Wedding Official Album Released Today

NEW YORK and LONDON, April 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in history, the Royal Wedding ceremony was recorded this morning and will be immediately released digitally today. Decca Records, one of Britain's historic record labels, will release Prince William and Catherine Middleton's entire wedding ceremony on the world's foremost download and streaming platforms within hours of the service ending.

The Official Album of the event was held in Westminster Abbey today -- April 29th -- and will be rush released, available everywhere in the U.S. on May 10th. Musicians who performed at the ceremony include The Choir of Westminster Abbey, The Chapel Royal Choir, The London Chamber Orchestra and The Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The Choirs were under the direction of Mr James O'Donnell and The London Chamber Orchestra conducted by its Music Director and Principle Conductor Mr Christopher Warren-Green.

Decca Records is a part of Universal Music, the world's leading record company, which also released the recording of The Wedding of Charles and Diana, Prince and Princess of Wales in 1981, and the Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. The uniquely original new recording will be the next in a historic line to mark major milestones for the royal family, and as such it will enter the homes of millions across the whole world.

The physical album will include a special collector's booklet featuring the complete order of service, the readings, vows, hymns and blessings, and all the music from this global event with one the biggest audiences in television history. The format of release will be digital download, CD and vinyl to cater to consumers of all ages.

The album is produced by one of the world's finest classical record producers, Anna Barry, who has produced over 500 recordings of distinction for over 25 years, ranging from works by Andrew Lloyd Webber to opera at the Mariinsky Theatre with Valery Gergiev, and many other legendary artists including Jose Carreras and Zubin Mehta.

The multi-Grammy-nominated producer said of the Royal Wedding recording: "This is a great honor and an enormous responsibility. The wedding means so much to millions of people all over the world -- we had to capture every note and every nuance perfectly and have the recording ready within minutes of the end of the ceremony."

Dickon Stainer, President of Decca Records, said: "This will be the first Official Royal Wedding Album ever to enter the worldwide digital charts. It will capture a piece of history for a new generation."

David Joseph, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK, said: "The Official Album for The Royal Wedding will complement everyone's personal memories of the event. Thanks to digital technology we will be able to deliver it worldwide almost instantly -- it will be the fastest we have ever released an album of this stature."

Tracklisting:

1. The Arrival of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh – Fanfare

2. The Procession of The Queen - March from The Birds (Parry)

3. Prelude on Rhosymedre (Vaughan Williams)

4. The Procession of the Bride - Anthem: I Was Glad (Parry)

5. Hymn: Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (Cwm Rhondda) (Hughes)

6. The Welcome and Introduction

7. The Marriage

8. The Vows

9. Hymn: Love Divine (Blaenwern) (Rowlands)

10. The Lesson

11. The Anthem: This is the Day Which The Lord Hath Made (Rutter)

12. The Address

13. The Motet: Ubi Caritas (Mealor)

14. The Prayers

15. Hymn: Jerusalem (Parry)

16. The Blessing

17. The National Anthem (Trad.)

18. The Signing of the Register - Blest Pair of Sirens (Parry)

19. Fanfare: Valiant and Brave (Stubbs)

20. The Procession of the Bride and Bridegroom - Crown Imperial (Walton)

21. Toccata from Symphonie V (Widor)

NB. Bold titles indicate spoken word

http://www.deccarecords-us.com/

SOURCE Decca Label Group