After nearly four years of searching, I located this CD performed by "The Sixteen." Their rendition shocked me--in a good way. The historical notes indicated that Handel had to arrange many of these Chandos Anthems several times due to the constant change in personnel. Most of his singers were also servants and attendants, so he couldn't always count on his ensemble membership. Sound familiar to anyone?
This CD performs the anthem with a three-part choir: STB, no less! The preceding solo tune is completely different than the one used in the SATB version currently available through Carl Fischer, Inc. And, this exciting chorus contains approximately 6 additional measures in the 3-part arrangement. As well, the text is slightly different on the recording compared to the SATB version. "In the voice of praise and thanksgiving; among such as keep holy day" versus the SATB "With the voice of praise and thanksgiving; a festal throng keeping holy day."
Any way you slice it, this is a fun chorus that is teachable to beginning high school choirs and the average church choir--with lengthy prep time.
It's fantastic to have biblical text so full of energy--particularly Psalm 42:4. This is the same chapter where we get "As the Deer panteth for the water..."
Excellent instrumentalists and enjoyable English-styled singing, with very little vibrato in the choral parts.
The two arrangements, SATB and STB, are both printed in Handel's collected works. These are available for inspection in most university music libraries.
