Ode for St. Cecilia's Day HWV 76, Concerto for Organ No. 13 HWV 295, Coronation Anthems HWV 258 ''Zadok the Priest''

The ''Ode on St. Cecilia's Day'' was originally written in the year 1697 by John Dryden (1631-1700), one of the major poets of the classical era. The work is dedicated to Saint Cecilia, a Christian martyr, who had become the patroness of all musicians due to her fabulous musical skills.

The encounter with Dryden's Ode for Cecilia was Handel's first ''contact'' with English poetry. He set it into music after his position as a composer of Italian operas began to falter. The composition of an Ode, in line with English national tradition, enabled him to reaffirm his position in English musical life.

Two other works by Handel grace this release, whose link with the first Handel work might seem unusual at first sight, but which were however taken up and played by Handel himself in similar combination many times during his concert series:

Alongside the Cecilia-Ode, the Concerto for Organ No. 13 HWV 295 as well as the festive anthem ''Zadok the Priest'' are presented in a brilliant and spirited way by the well-known Ensemble ''I Barocchisti'' and the ''Coro della Radio Svizzera'' under the leadership of Diego Fasolis.

Don't miss this wonderful recording, presented by ARTS with 24bit/96kHz multichannel sound on a Hybrid SACD.