He had a performance at St. Paul’s Cathedral in mind, but politics and fate intervened and the Dettingen Te Deum never received the epic St. Paul’s treatment. Instead it was given five months after the battle in a performance at the Chapel Royal service at St. James’ in November.

The opening martial fanfare with massed trumpets, winds and drums is as exciting as anything we have from Handel and the Trinity College Choir and Academy of Ancient Music make a rousing noise. There’s more than testosterone-fueled pomp here however. Handel gives us some finely crafted solo writing for the alto “All the earth doth worship thee” and bass “When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man”.

The performances are brilliant. Bass Neal Davies’ voice has marvelous power and when accompanied by the sublime trumpet playing of David Blackadder in the aria “Thou art the King of Glory,” he stops the show. The choral singing is a model of clarity and beauty and Stephen Layton leads this magnificent performance with a true sense of occasion. The recording is rounded out with excellent performances of the Organ Concerto No. 14 and the anthem Zadok the Priest. While it’s probably considered politically incorrect to be stirred by martial sounds, I’ll take the heat and happily embrace this thrilling recording. CRAIG ZEICHNER

HANDEL
DETTINGEN TE DEUM
Neal Davies, Richard Marlow
The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge
Academy of Ancient Music
STEPHEN LAYTON
Hyperion CDA 67678
2007 · 60:33’