Chandos & Chapel Royal April 29, 2012

30-voice California Bach Society closes its season with splendid works by Handel. Guest conductor Charlene Archibeque says: "The audience is in for a real treat. Not only are the choruses spectacular, but the solo writing is most engaging." On the program are two early works written for the Duke of Chandos, and two works written for the Kings of England and the monarch's choir known as the "Chapel Royal".

The Duke of Chandos' palatial estate in Sussex boasted its own "court musicians" and the Duke used the parish church next to his house and grounds as his private chapel. For performances in this chapel, Handel wrote masterful works that came to be known as the "Chandos Anthems," full of bright and lively fugal choruses, pastoral arias, and haunting instrumental sections. Of these wonderful compositions, California Bach Society performs "As Pants the Hart" -a beautifully light work that features stunning violin and oboe parts that introduce and accompany the arias- and the majestic "The Lord is My Light."

After Handel's German patron became George I of England in 1714, Handel frequently composed music for the Royal Court. Among the best-known examples are the "Water Music," written in 1717, and "Zadok the Priest," written for the coronation of King George II in 1727 and still performed at the coronations of English monarchs. California Bach Society performs "Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened," another of the four Coronation Anthems written for King George II, and "I Will Magnify Thee," an arrangement of sections from existing Chandos anthems.

With Elspeth Franks, soprano, Brian Thorsett, tenor, and a Baroque orchestra of strings, oboe, bassoon, and organ.

Artistic Director Paul Flight will be on a brief sabbatical through June 2012. For this program of Handel anthems he has left the choir in the capable hands of Dr. Charlene Archibeque, one of America's foremost choral conductors and teachers.

Official Website: http://www.calbach.org