Academy of Ancient Music

“In this excellent account of Zadock the Priest by Layton, the most striking numbers are the internalised prayers for redemption and mercy, rather than the royal brown-nosing and tub-thumping. The youthful (undergraduate) voices of Trinity’s choir sing superbly throughout, and quite magnificently in Zadok, which rounds off the disc climactically after a stylish performance of the A major Organ Concerto by Richard Marlow.” Sunday Times, 22nd June 2008 ****

“Composed to celebrate George II's victory against the French in 1743 - the last time a British monarch led his troops into battle - the "Dettingen" Te Deum is often dismissed as Handelian tub-thumping. Yet, in a performance as precise and exuberant as this (wonderfully expressive diction from the Trinity Choir), its trumpet-and-drum-fuelled extroversion comes across as elementally exciting rather than merely brash. Handel is careful, though, to leaven bellicose ceremonial with moments of quiet entreaty, as in the poignant bass solo "Vouchsafe, O Lord", sensitively sung here by Neal Davies. Zadok the Priest is duly overwhelming, without ponderousness, while Richard Marlow's nimble performance of the organ concerto makes a delightful bonus.” The Telegraph, 31st May 2008

“Trinity College Choir go a long way to restoring the [Te Deum] here, giving it the performance it failed to get first time, when, instead of St Paul's, Handel squeezed his musicians into the chapel at St James's Palace. Great singing with sprightly playing from the Academy.” The Observer, 25th May 2008

“Layton fervently rethinks every detail. His tempos are faultless, the Academy of Ancient Music plays as though possessed, and Neal Davies's solos lend an authority complementing the more soft-grained soloists from within the choir. A stylish Zadok and nimble Organ Concerto are welcome bonuses.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2008 ****

“Complementing the inspiriting performance of the Te Deum… is a properly overwhelming account of Zadok the Priest… and a delightfully deft one… of the A major concerto that Handel quickly recycled as the Concerto grosso Op 6 No 11.” Gramophone Magazine, August 2008

Master of the classical symphony, form and drama, Haydn excels in achieving maximum effect and expression in his music. Symphony No. 96 in particular, a majestic symphony, received the following review in March 1791 on its premiere: “…never was there a richer musical treat... [Symphony No. 96] was pronounced to be the most wonderful composition, but the first movement in particular rises in grandeur of subject, and in rich variety of air and passion, beyond even any of his own productions.”