THE 24, a University Department of Music choir, were joined by a group of predominantly student instrumentalists in Handel and Bach on Wednesday night. Robert Hollingworth conducted with lucidity and poise.

They began with Handel’s complete Coronation Anthems, starting with Zadok the Priest. The orchestral build up was let down by some imprecise string ensemble and intonation, but the choir—slightly reinforced—filled the hall with punchy and clear sonic radiance. Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened highlighted longer phrases; at Let justice and judgement the sound was affecting and shapely, and the Alleluia’s counterpoint was clear and unhurried.

After a celebratory opening to The King Shall Rejoice, the hemiolas at Thou Hast Prevented Him were beautifully pointed; the closing Alleluia was glorious.

My Heart Is Inditing emphasised Handel’s implied antiphony, supported by excellent unanimity in the orchestral introduction. This anthem for the Queen was smooth and tender, even sensual at …the King shall have pleasure in thy beauty. A surprisingly tentative final chorus, Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, suddenly achieved conviction on the entry of the trumpets and drums. The choir’s diction was outstanding throughout.

Bach’s Lutheran Mass in F consists of only a Kyrie and a Gloria. The former was suitably expressive and penitential with full rich sound at the affirmative cadences. If the Gloria’s three solos—undoubtedly musical—might have benefited from a little more breathing space, the choral outer sections danced along energetically, buoyed by delightfully sprung bass and agile horns. The concert finished with a jubilant Cum Sancto Spiritu.