East Bridge Chorale perform three Baroque Masterpieces

East Bridge Chorale are delighted to be performing three Baroque Masterpieces for their late Autumn concert at St. Mary's Arts Centre in Sandwich, Kent. Directed by Benedict Preece, the 90-strong choir are accompanied by the East Bridge Concert Orchestra, with solo performances from members of the Caritas Chamber Choir.

Ode on St Celiia’s Day, popularly known as Hail, Bright Cecilia, was composed by Henry Purcell in 1692 in honour of the patron saint of musician’s feast day. An homage to the power of music, the piece is regarded as one of the great masterpieces of English choral odes.

French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier may not be as widely known as other baroque masters, but most people will immediately recognise the rousing opening prelude of his Te Deum H146! Composed in around 1692 as a ceremonial hymn of praise – most likely to celebrate Louis XIV's victory at the Battle of Steenkerque in Flanders – it is his most famous work.

Zadok the Priest, by George Frideric Handel, is one of the four great coronation anthems composed by him for the coronation of George 1 in 1727. Sung at the coronation of every subsequent British monarch, it has become one of the best-known and loved British patriotic anthems.