Two “Chandos” Anthems by George Frideric Handel 

In the Lord put I my trust HWV247 

My song shall be alway HWV 252 

Sunday 2nd July, 4.00pm at St Mary’s Church, Redbourn

This concert will present two of Handel’s “Chandos” Anthems in the way Handel designed them, with one singer/player per part.  The performers will be musicians from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, conducted by Damian Cranmer who was Director of Music there from 1987 to 2007.  

The concert will last about an hour and a half.  Entrance is free, but there will be a retiring collection in aid of St Mary’s Charity of the Year – Level Trust, Luton.  The audience is invited to refreshments in the Transept Hall afterwards. 

Handel wrote eleven anthems for James Brydges, who was created Duke of Chandos in 1719, and his title has been linked with these anthems for most of their history.  Recently, however, scholars have begun to refer to them as Cannons Anthems because they predate Brydges’ new title by almost two years. 

Handel wrote the anthems in pairs, one penitential and one celebratory, and the concert will include an example of each.  The detail of the arrangement between Brydges and Handel is unclear,  but, while his estate at Cannons in Stanmore was being completed, Brydges refurbished the local church of St Lawrence Whitchurch for his own use, and this is where Handel first directed the anthems.  The Cannons estate lasted for less than 30 years and the church is the only remaining building.

The editions being used are by Damian Cranmer who has added an alto part to the original three-voice texture of In the Lord.