A banquet of Italianate delights – Handel’s wonderfully exuberant and complex Dixit Dominus for the

The Yorkshire Philharmonic will bring a slice of heaven to Wakefield Cathedral with two of Baroque music’s ‘greatest hits’ on Saturday 6th April at 7.00 p.m.

Two wonderful but challenging works – to be brought to life under the baton of the Choir’s energetic and exacting Musical Director, Andrew Padmore.

Dixit Dominus, Handel’s pacey, exciting and dramatic work in an authentically Italian style, is a setting of Psalm 110, written in 1707 when he was a mere 22 years of age.

This is the young Handel, in Italy, the dominant cultural power in music, demonstrating that he is a real force to be reckoned with – against his contemporaries, such as Vivaldi, Corelli and Scarlatti. Dixit Dominus is one of Handel’s major works – and shows us why Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once said of him“Handel understands effect better than any of us—when he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt.”

Dixit Dominus is a great challenge – for both musicians and singers. Full of drama and, at a speed that commands the listener’s attention, Handel uses the force of the music to paint the words, leaving the listener in no doubt at all about the feelings and emotions being expressed.

Something of a contrast, though with similarities in its joyousness and energy, is the Vivaldi Gloria. From its commanding opening chorus, to the exuberant loveliness of the final Cum Sancto Spiritu, it is a wonderful work – sunny and uplifting with distinctive and memorable melodies.

So, quite a challenge for the Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir, for the Amici Ensemble and for the soloists, Katie Kelly (Soprano); Clare McCauldin (Mezzo); Chris Trenholme (Tenor) and Miles Taylor (Bass). But a challenge that will present, on the night, a veritable banquet of music, to excite the mind, and satisfy the senses, and leave the audience feeling that they have savoured a feast of beautiful works.

Put the date in your diary, and go to www.yorkshirephilharmonicchoir.co.uk to buy tickets!

Buon appetito!