Stephen Layton: Academy of Ancient Music - Handel: Dettingen Te Deum

The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, is one of Britain�s great mixed choirs. Under its new director, the mercurial Stephen Layton, it has reached new heights of musical excellence in this latest disc for Hyperion. Accompanied throughout by the Academy of Ancient Music, the choir performs one of Handel�s most florid and dazzling works, the Dettingen Te Deum, which was written to celebrate King George II�s triumphal return from the Battle of Dettingen in 1743. As might be imagined, much of this work is thrillingly bellicose, but some highly cultivated writing shows the composer�s range, expressive versatility and imagination.The disc also includes a stylish performance of the Organ Concerto No 14 in A major with Trinity�s former musical director Richard Marlow at the organ, as well as Handel�s best-loved and most gloriously ceremonial anthem, Zadok the Priest.