Bury Bach Choir: The Majesty of Handel

Less than a year after being naturalized British by the dying King George l, George Frideric Handel was commissioned to compose four anthems for the coronation of his successor King George ll and Queen Caroline on 11 October 1727. He elected to write all four anthems in a particularly bold and extrovert style, suitable for the grandness and importance of the occasion and for the scale of the venue, Westminster Abbey.

These four anthems were instantly popular and have remained so with concert audiences to this day. They are still frequently performed at Royal occasions and indeed Zadok the Priest has been performed at every coronation since 1727. Their festive pomp and glittering fanfares never fail to put a tingle down the spine. At this concert, unusually, you will be able to enjoy all four in one evening, in the beautiful acoustic of The Apex. This will be quite special for all choral enthusiasts and will also be a wonderful introduction to classical choral music for those of any age who are unfamiliar with the excitement of a live classical concert.

To complete this Handel bonanza, during the concert the Geldart Ensemble will entrance us with virtuoso performances of his Music for the Royal Fireworks, the Solomon Overture and The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, and the choir will sing Handel's O Praise the Lord along with Purcell's I Was Glad. What an evening of amazing music!

The Geldart Ensemble
Bury Bach Choir
Benedict Collins Rice conductor

Handel
The King Shall Rejoice
Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened
My Heart Is Inditing
Zadok The Priest
Music for the Royal Fireworks
Solomon Overture
The Arrival of the Queen Of Sheba
O Praise the Lord

Purcell
I Was Glad