Synopsis

Unless you’re just mad about 18th century history, it’s unlikely you know off the top of your head who the winners and losers were in the War of the Spanish Succession. Suffice it to say, on today’s date in 1713, to celebrate the successful resolution of that conflict, a festive choral “Te Deum” was performed at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. 

It was written by a very ambitious 28-year old German composer named George Friedrich Handel. We’re not sure if Handel wrote his “Utrecht Te Deum” in response to an invitation from the British royal family or wrote it “on spec” to win their favor. In any case, when performed by the Royal Musicians and the choir of the Chapel Royal on July 7, 1713, it made a tremendous impression.

Handel’s first royal employer was King George the First, and three years after Handel’s death, King George the THIRD sat on the throne. Now, King George the Third may have suffered from madness and lost the American colonies, but at least he DID know a good composer when he heard one. He idolized Handel and saw to it that the composer was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Music Played in Today's Program

George Frederic Handel (1685 - 1757) Utrecht Te Deum St Paul's Cathedral Choir; The Parley of Instruments; John Scott, conductor. Hyperion 67009