Handel: The Lord is my light, HWV 255

Description

From 1717 to 1718 Handel was resident composer at Cannons, a country estate to the north of London . During this time he wrote the so-called Chandos Anthems, a set of eleven "Anglican cantatas" with instrumental accompaniment. "The Lord is my light" (HWV 255), with its eleven movements, is not only the longest composition in the set, it also has the largest proportion of newly composed material.

This anthem is especially noteworthy for its varied and self-sufficient orchestral accompaniment, which lends a fitting backdrop to the festive chorus and equally festive solo numbers.