Chandos Anthems

work by Handel

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June 24, 2026

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The Chandos Anthems are a set of 11 anthems composed by George Frideric Handel between 1717 and 1718. Handel wrote these works while employed by James Brydges, the 1st duke of Chandos, at his estate Canons.12

An anthem is a choral composition with English words, typically used in Anglican church services. Handel's Chandos Anthems are considered significant examples of his early English church music. Though written for a smaller ensemble, they are characterized by their grand scale and are noted for Handel's ability to achieve "great effects with simple means". These anthems showcase Handel's mastery of choral writing and his skill in setting religious texts to music.31

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George Frideric Handel
Music of George Frideric Handel
…of which are the 11 Chandos Anthems; though written for a small group of singers and instrumentalists, they are conceived on a grand scale. Closely following these works are the four Coronation Anthems for George II; the most celebrated of these, Zadok the Priest, is a striking example of what…
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…of which are the 11 Chandos Anthems; though written for a small group of singers and instrumentalists, they are conceived on a grand scale. Closely following these works are the four Coronation Anthems for George II; the most celebrated of these, Zadok the Priest, is a striking example of what…
Read More