Gramophone Magazine
January 2024
Editor's Choice

The Girl Choristers of Canterbury Cathedral, The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen

Pepusch: Rejoyce in the Lord (Christmas)
Pepusch: Magnificat
Pepusch: Concerto for Oboe Solo in B flat major
Pepusch: O Praise the Lord, laud ye the name of the Lord

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.

"Celebratory choruses resemble a meeting point between Purcell and Vivaldi, yet those looking for elements closer to Handel will find them in the lively choral setting of ‘The swelling floods together roll’d’." - Gramophone Magazine, January 2024