George Frideric Handel

Utrecht: Te

War of 1700
War of the Spanish Succession [1700-1713] plagued
Europe, as multiple monarchs claimed succession.
Diplomats from the involved countries met in Utrecht
from 1712 April 1713.
An early moment of war ending with diplomacy
United Nations considers this historic moment
significant in their origination

Handels Arrival
Handel arrives in England in 1712; desired to compose
a work for the for coming peace treaty.
Royal hang-up: Royal Court Orchestra was only
allowed to play music composed by English
composers, otherwise parliament permission was
required.
Composed Birthday Ode for Queen Anne as a
diplomatic solution.
Utrecht Te Deum is Handels first major sacred work
set to English texts.

Te Deum: Scoring
SSAATB solists
SATB choir
2 trumpets, flauto traverso, 2 oboes, basson
Violin, viola, cello, basso continuo

Te Deum: Structure
1) We praise Thee, O God
2) To Thee all Angels cry aloud
3) To Thee Cherubin and Seraphim
4) The glorious Company of the Apostles
5) When thou tookst upon thee to deliver man
6) We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge
7) Day by day we magnify thee
8) And we worship thy name
9) Vouchsafe, O Lord
10) O Lord, in thee have I trusted

Te Deum: Overview
Followed Henry Purcells scoring and incorporation of brass
and strings throughout.
Jubilate was additional composed to accompany the work
Large sections set homophonically
Granted access to court musicians, which allowed for
greater number of vocal parts.
Handel incorporates motifs from earlier Dixit Dominus
To thee all Angels & We Believe - De Torrente
The glorious Company - Dominus dextris
To Thee, to Thee Cherubin O death, where is thy sting