HANDEL, G.F.: Alexander's Feast (The Sixteen)

The nature of 'Alexander's Feast' is perhaps better summoned up by its other title, 'The Power of Music'. It is a celebratory ode for St. Cecilia's Day, written by Dryden in 1697 for the City of London's traditional celebration of the patron saint of music, and set in celebratory style by Handel in 1736. At its first performance that year, he incorporated two delightful concertos, one for harp and the other for organ, and these are included on this recording.