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From the arresting opening eruption, reminiscent of the famous ‘O fortuna’ from Carl Orff’s “Carmina burana”, it is instantly clear that this is a passionate performance of a powerful work. Through its ensuing myriad contrasts, the peerless skill and unwavering dedication of Polyphony, the Britten Sinfonia, soloists and conductor Stephen Layton result in a compelling performance of Pawel...
There has never been a wealth of satisfying recordings of Handel’s "Chandos Anthems" available, so admirers of the works should be grateful for Hyperion’s release three of the eleven anthems, especially because they are exceptionally well performed and recorded. Skilled and seasoned conductor Stephen Layton leads the Trinity College Choir, Cambridge, the Academy of Ancient Music, and a quartet of...
Gabriel Jackson is a Bermuda-born Englander who descends from an Anglican clergyman and has himself an intense devotion to that confession, though he describes it as unconventional. But his interests do seem pegged to liturgical choral music despite the fact that he composes in other forms as well. One particular obsession seems to be with the Tudor tradition of Tallis, Browne, and Carver, their...
Soloists and chorus alike excel in three of Handel's Chandos Anthems
This contains three of the 11 so-called Chandos Anthems composed between August 1717 and summer 1718 for James Brydges, the Earl of Carnarvon (from 1719 the First Duke of Chandos). Handel's music was tailor-made for fewer performers than those featured here. Nevertheless, the 40 members of the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge...
*****
The recent slew of Handel releases in honour of the 250th anniversary of his death has reinforced the composer’s versatility. Clever and entrepreneurial, Handel came to London primarily to make his name in opera, but that did not stop him from seeking out rich patrons like the Duke of Chandos and fulfilling their musical needs. In this case, it was providing music for the duke’s private...
This devotional piece, which makes a noble addition to the music of Passiontide, could be seen as a reflection on Pawel Lukaszewski's native Poland and Catholicism's triumph over communism. Whatever its genesis, there is no denying the beauty of the choral writing and the sincerity of faith which lies behind it. Built around the Stations of the Cross, jewel-like recurring refrains, exquisitely...