Te Deum for the victory of Dettingen HWV 283

Great occasions call for great music

The Dettingen Te Deum is a brilliant example of how Handel could capture the tone for festive occasions as had never been done before. The expression of the exalted character of this official work is imparted through Handel’s express use of timpani and trumpets. Gentler and more serious movements effectively complement the work.

The basis for the present critical edition of this work is the London autograph, which has survived and from which Handel probably conducted the first performance. In addition, the initial concluding version of the chorus “Make them to be number’d” has been published in this edition. In this version Handel strived for a more compact and stricter voice leading.

Scoring: Soli ATB, Coro SSATB, 2 Ob, Fg, 3 Tr, Timp, 2 Vl, Va, Bc