Handel: Music for Cannons; Three Chandos Anthems

On this CD:

1. Chandos Anthem No.4 in F major, "O Sing Unto the Lord", HWV 249b
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by William Byrd Ensemble

2. Chandos Anthem No.6 in E Minor, "As Pants the Hart", HWV 251b
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by William Byrd Ensemble

3. Chandos Anthem No.11 in B flat, "Let God Arise", HWV 256
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by William Byrd Ensemble

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
"Cannons" was the spectacular estate (paid for by spectacular graft) of James Brydges, Earl of Chandos and paymaster to the British army. Handel spent much of 1717-18 in residence at Cannons, where he composed, among other things, 11 church anthems now known as the Chandos Anthems. While these pieces have since become favorites of choirs and chamber orchestras, Brydges had no choir at Cannons; Handel actually composed the pieces for soloists, even in the "choruses." Graham O'Reilly and his ensembles are the first to record the anthems this way; the three anthems on this disc are the first in a projected series. The chamber approach works nicely: balance is generally good, textures are clear, and the singers--especially tenor Ian Honeyman, who gets most of the work--are fine (though mezzo Brigitte Vinson would probably sound more comfortable in Renaissance music). If anything is lacking, it's the excitement that Harry Christophers and the Sixteen (larger forces notwithstanding) brought to these anthems. Nevertheless, this is a long-overdue approach to the Chandos Anthems which Handelians ought to hear. --Matthew Westphal

Tracks:

I As Pants The Hart (Anthem 6, HWV 251b): Son (Andante Larghetto-Allegro)
I As Pants The Hart (Anthem 6, HWV 251b): Tutti: As Pants The Hart
I As Pants The Hart (Anthem 6, HWV 251b): Solo: Tears Are My Daily Food
I As Pants The Hart (Anthem 6, HWV 251b): Solo: Now When I Think Thereupon
I As Pants The Hart (Anthem 6, HWV 251b): Tutti: In The Voice Of Praise
I As Pants The Hart (Anthem 6, HWV 251b): Duet: Why So Full Of Grief?
I As Pants The Hart (Anthem 6, HWV 251b): Solo And Tutti: Put Thy Trust In God
II O Sing Unto The Lord (Anthem 4, HWV 249b): Sym (Grave-Allegro)
II O Sing Unto The Lord (Anthem 4, HWV 249b): Solo And Tutti: O Sing Unto The Lord
II O Sing Unto The Lord (Anthem 4, HWV 249b): Tutti: Declare His Honour
II O Sing Unto The Lord (Anthem 4, HWV 249b): Solo: The Waves Of The Sea
II O Sing Unto The Lord (Anthem 4, HWV 249b): Duet: O Worship The Lord
II O Sing Unto The Lord (Anthem 4, HWV 249b): Tutti: Let The Whole Earth
II O Sing Unto The Lord (Anthem 4, HWV 249b): Tutti: Let The Heav'ns Rejoice
III Let God Arise (Anthem 11, HWV256a): Sym (Tempo Ordinario E Staccato-Allegro Ma Non Presto)
III Let God Arise (Anthem 11, HWV256a): Tutti: Let God Arise
III Let God Arise (Anthem 11, HWV256a): Solo: Like As The Smoak
III Let God Arise (Anthem 11, HWV256a): Solo: Let The Righteous Be Glad
III Let God Arise (Anthem 11, HWV256a): Duet: O Sing Unto God
III Let God Arise (Anthem 11, HWV256a): Tutti: Praised Be The Lord
III Let God Arise (Anthem 11, HWV256a): Tutti: At Thy Rebuke
III Let God Arise (Anthem 11, HWV256a): Tutti: Blessed Be God

Amazon.com

"Cannons" was the spectacular estate (paid for by spectacular graft) of James Brydges, Earl of Chandos and paymaster to the British army. Handel spent much of 1717-18 in residence at Cannons, where he composed, among other things, 11 church anthems now known as the Chandos Anthems. While these pieces have since become favorites of choirs and chamber orchestras, Brydges had no choir at Cannons; Handel actually composed the pieces for soloists, even in the "choruses." Graham O'Reilly and his ensembles are the first to record the anthems this way; the three anthems on this disc are the first in a projected series. The chamber approach works nicely: balance is generally good, textures are clear, and the singers--especially tenor Ian Honeyman, who gets most of the work--are fine (though mezzo Brigitte Vinson would probably sound more comfortable in Renaissance music). If anything is lacking, it's the excitement that Harry Christophers and the Sixteen (larger forces notwithstanding) brought to these anthems. Nevertheless, this is a long-overdue approach to the Chandos Anthems which Handelians ought to hear. --Matthew Westphal

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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