Wantage Choral Society Spring Concert

Vivaldi wrote three Glorias of which the one we are performing is the best-known. It is one of the most popular works of Baroque sacred music, beloved of choral societies and their audiences alike.

Mozart composed the Vesperae solennes de confessore in 1780 for liturgical use in Salzburg Cathedral. The penultimate movement of the Vespers KV 339, “Laudate Dominum” (Psalm 116) inspired him to create an exquisite melody which is part of the undying heritage of classical music.

Haydn’s Te Deum was composed for the very musical Empress Marie Therese (wife of Franz 1 of Austria) and was first performed in 1800. It is jubilant and brightly coloured with the only dark moment a brief, soft central Adagio in C minor. Elsewhere joy reigns, with plenty of choral unison.