In this recording Musica Gloria performs two of their favourite Chandos Anthems by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759): no.6 and no.10. These sacred vocal works show a huge variety of textures and compositional styles, ranging from dramatic, almost operatic, through declamatory to contrapuntal and solemn. These Anthems were intended for, and first performed by, the small but excellent ensemble of singers and instrumentalists employed by the nobleman Lord Henry James Brydges, later Duke of Chandos. The size of the ensemble for this recording – 8 singers and 7 instrumentalists – allows both chamber musical interactions and majestic tutti passages. Alongside these anthems, the album contains a concerto for oboe, strings and basso continuo which Handel composed in the same period, and which includes instrumental movements from other Chandos Anthems. For the basso continuo, the ensemble used one of Handel’s favourite instruments, the claviorganum.

Musica Gloria is a young, vibrant instrumental and vocal baroque ensemble led by Beniamino Paganini (traverso, baroque keyboards, maestro al cembalo and musicologist) and Nele Vertommen (baroque oboe, recorder and artistic research).