The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen
Description
The name 'Chandos anthems' is most frequently associated with Handel, but he was not the first, nor the last, composer in the extravagant household of James Brydges, the Duke of Chandos from 1719.
Working concurrently with Handel at Cannons was the Berlin native, Johann Christoph Pepusch—nearly 20 years Handel's senior—who took over as Director of Music by early 1719 whereupon he adopted a distinctly Venetian approach to sacred music, in the manner of Lotti and Vivaldi.
Often remembered today for his contribution to The Beggar's Opera Pepusch was a bridge from the seventeenth to the eighteenth-century musical life in London.
After Handel's departure from Cannons in 1718 to return to the operatic world, Pepusch significantly increased the size of the ensemble at Cannons, including more string players, at least seven adult singers, a choir of trebles and, in the manner of Vivaldi, single trumpet and oboe.
Having previously demonstrated to the public Pepusch's masterful approach in several award-winning recordings, Robert Rawson and The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen, joined by the Girl Choristers of Canterbury Cathedral, return with a stunning and richly-scored programme for this recording of world premieres.
GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE, JANUARY 2024
"The Sinfonia of Rejoyce in the Lord has Will Russell's buoyant solo trumpet pitted against pastoral-tinged strings. Ciara Hendrick and Alex Potter's graceful interweaving in the duet 'Praise he Lord with harp' has counterparts in the lyrical concertante playing of violinist Tassilo Erhardt and oboist Mark Baigent." – Gramophone
"Robert Rawson, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for his rehabilitation of an unjustly overlooked composer, directs with both style and affection." – BBC Music Magazine ****
"The team of vocal soloists includes some of the UK's leading young singers, who all perform with élan, and the instrumental forces conjure up dazzling displays of virtuosity, juxtaposed with enchanting lyricism. […] a vital addition to Pepusch's discography." – Cathedral Music
'The performances could hardly be any better. Rawson selected seven excellent soloists, among them such seasoned performers in the early music scene as Alex Potter, Nicholas Mulroy and Edward Grint.' – Music Web International
Tracklisting
Marcel Ponseele, Il Gardellino
Margret Koell; Stefan Temmingh
Dorothee Mields, Lautten Compagney
Florian Deuter; Monica Waisman; Harmonie Universelle
Aco Biscevic, Michael Hofstetter, Barockorchester der Thuringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach
Soloists; Les Traversees Baroques; Meyer
Luigi De Donato; Collegium 1704; Vaclav Luks
Ars Antiqua Austria; Gunar Letzbor
Polina Pastirchak, Anke Vondung, Sungmin Song, Milan Siljanov, Chorwerk Ruhr, Bochumer Symphoniker,
Kammerchor Stuttgart; Barockorchester Stuttgart; Frieder Bernius; Hannah Morrison; Franziska Bobe;
Choralchor der St. Johannis-Kantorei Rostock
Capella Daleminzia, Capella Vocale Waldheim, Rene Michael Roder
Gewandhaus Children's Choir, Frank-Steffen Elster, Gewandhaus Youth Choir, Gewandhaus Choir, Gregor
Aukso - Chamber Orchestra Of The City Of Tychy, Camerata Silesia Katowice City Singers' Ensemble, Marek Mos
Herbert von Karajan; The Philharmonia Orchestra; Berliner Philharmoniker
Soloists, Netherlands Chamber Choir, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Frans Bruggen
