Music for the Kings of England

thursday, sept 17, 7.30 pm
church salvator (salvátorská st.)

H. Purcell: Psalms; G. F. Händel: Coronation Anthems

Harmonia delectabilis
Vocal Collegium – artistic director Robert Hugo
Lukáš Vendl – organ
John Bowley – conductor (Great Britain)

English music of the 17th century reached its peak in the work of Henry Purcell, which in its turn became a major source of inspiration for George Frideric Handel. Both composers were associated with the English royal court, and as such were present at several coronation ceremonies. In their sacred output, they developed the traditional Englisch genre of church music, anthem, all of whose different forms involve the use of choir. Purcell's I Was Glad is one of a series of anthems written for the coronation of James II in 1685. Tonight's programme also brings two of the four Coronation Anthems composed by Handel on the occasion of the coronation of George II and his consort, Caroline, which took place at Westminster Abbey in October 1727. The choral Hallelujah! closing the second part of his oratorio, The Messiah, is arguably Handel's best known composition. It extolls the Lord who vanquishes the church's foes, as the eternal triumph of Christendom. Himself an excellent keyboard player, Handel championed the development of concertos for organ and orchestra. Both of the concertos of his Opus 4 were first performed at London's Covent Garden Theatre, during a performance of Handels oratorio Esther in 1735. The composer was present as their first soloist.

Programme:
H. Purcell: I was glad
H. Purcell: Hear my prayer
H. Purcell: Thou knowest Lord
G. F. Händel: Concerto B dur pro varhanní pozitiv a orchestr
H. Purcell: O sing unto the Lord
G. F. Händel: Hallelujah (Mesiáš)