Te Deum for the Peace of Utrecht
Ruth Guldbaek (soprano)
Else Brems (mezzo-soprano)
Valborg Garde (contralto)
Dagmar Schou (contralto)
Ole Walbom (tenor)
Valmer Holboll (tenor)
Einar Norby (bass)
Danish State Radio
Choir and Orchestra
Conductor, Mogens Woldike
(Recording made available by courtesy of the Danish State Radio) This Te Deum was completed on January 14, 1713, presumably with an eye to the forthcoming celebration of the Peace of Utrecht, which was signed on March 31 and proclaimed in London on May S. The music for such a state occasion was normally the prerogative of the chief native musician at the court, John Eccles ; but Handel, who in February had written an Ode for the Queen's birthday praising her for her part in bringing about the peace treaty, was commissioned to prepare his Te Deum and add to it a Jubilate (broadcast in the Third Programme a fortnight ago). Both works were performed at the thanksgiving service held in St. Paul's Cathedral on July 7, 1713. D.C.