I'll start right away: about the opening concert of the festival Les Nuits de Septembre, which took place on 6 September in the imposing Eglise Saint-Jacques in Liège, I can hardly remain objective. That's because I have a soft spot for the ensemble that opened the festival, Musica Gloria, not only because they always guarantee a magnificent performance of the most beautiful baroque music, but also because, as a small concert organizer myself, I find it very pleasant to work with them. Moreover, I myself was involved in laying the foundation of the programme that was performed and was therefore particularly proud to hear it again, after its premiere with us in Hoegaarden last year. But I will try to be objective and ask the reader to forgive me if I don't quite succeed.
The programme, entirely devoted to Georg Friedrich Händel, opened with a performance of two Chandos Anthems— works that are relatively unknown outside England and are rarely performed live on the European mainland.
First came Chandos Anthem no. 10, "The Lord Is My Light" (HWV 255). This anthem is a hymn of praise that sparkles with joy and liveliness. Musica Gloria performed this work with a passion and energy that immediately captivated the listeners. The enthusiastic applause that followed was more than deserved and set the tone for the rest of the evening.
The concert continued with instrumental work by the composer and the audience was treated to the famous organ concerto "The Cuckoo and the Nightingale" (HWV 295). This piece, beloved by many, brought especially in the passages where the nightingale could be heard, a smile to the faces of the listeners. The musicians of Musica Gloria revealed in this work their virtuosity and deep understanding of Händel's music beautifully.
The restrained adagio from the "Sonata for Oboe and Basso Continuo" (HWV 363a) closed the first part of the concert. This delicate performance offered a nice contrast to the more exuberant pieces and demonstrated the versatility of both Händel's compositions and the performers.
After the intermission, the concert resumed with some fragments from the "Water Music" (HWV 348 and HWV 350), which again captivated the listeners. The return of the singers to the stage marked the highlight of the evening: the more restrained Chandos Anthem no. 6, "As Pants the Hart For Cooling Streams" (HWV 251b). The performance was received with thunderous applause and numerous bravos, and the audience was rewarded with an encore—the final part of this anthem, "Put Thy Trust in God/Halleluiah", which led to even louder and more enthusiastic closing applause.
This unforgettable concert was broadcast on Musiq3. There's more, because on Sunday 8 September Musica Gloria will perform it again in Ostrava, Czech Republic, where it will also be broadcast on television. Furthermore, a CD recording will be made of this wonderful programme and we are already looking forward with great anticipation to the CD launch. Musica Gloria has left a deep impression with this evening and brought Händel's music back to life for a contemporary audience.