On Saturday December 4^th at 7.30pm, in the wonderful candle-lit setting of Thaxted Church, Harlow Chorus is presenting a concert of baroque music by two of the masters of the period: Johann Sebastian Bach and Georg Friedrich Handel.

The concert begins with what is probably one of Handel’s most well-known choral works: the anthem Zadok the Priest, one of four such pieces written for the coronation of King George II and Queen Caroline in Westminster Abbey on 11^th October 1727. The image in the text of the anointing of Solomon is mirrored in the sumptuous harmonies of the orchestration. The whole work, while not being subtle, is nevertheless an extended shout of joy and fulfils the purpose wonderfully.

This is followed by Bach’s Concerto for Violin and Oboe, originally composed for a musical society which met in a coffee house! As with most of the composers of the time, Bach recycled and re-arranged his music for a variety of instruments and this particular concerto was originally written for two harpsichords. The performers in tonight’s concert are Brian Lloyd-Wilson (violin) and the American oboist Alayne Leslie. Alayne regularly performs the baroque oboe repertoire with the Orchestra of the 18th Century, under the direction of the renowned conductor/performer, Frans Bruggen. She has appeared on more than fifty recordings and has also worked with the conductor Simon Rattle and the composer/conductor Oliver Knussen.

The final work in the first half of the concert is another of Handel’s Coronation Anthems: The King Shall Rejoice, whose text is taken from Psalm 21. This is divided into five movements, the voices also dividing, where necessary, into five parts. Each movement has its own individual quality, but the work’s highlights are the fourth movement: a majestic fugue, which is a solemn celebration of the kingship conferred by God and the final movement: an extended and exultant Allelujah!

The second half of the concert comprises Bach’s Magnificat. This joyous, five-part cantata was originally written to celebrate Advent which, in the Lutheran church of Bach’s day, was a somewhat subdued festival. However, Bach also wrote four short choral sections intended to be included in Christmas performances and it is this amalgamated work which is being offered tonight. Harlow Chorus is joined in performance by four soloists: Elizabeth Cragg (soprano), Catherine Denley (alto), Nathan Vale (tenor) and Colin Campbell (bass), accompanied by The City of London Chamber Players, directed by Brian Lloyd-Wilson.

The concert is conducted by the Musical Director of Harlow Chorus, Sarah Tenant-Flowers.

This is a marvellous programme of memorable music – an inspiring start to Advent.