Harmonies of Majesty

As radical and enlightened eighteenth-century politics and ideologies swept across the American Colonies, songs and ballads such as “Yankee Doodle”— originally sung by British military officers as a way to mock the sad state of the colonists and their army—gained familiarity in the revolutionary era musical consciousness. Conversely, in the private homes of colonial Loyalists and on the other side of the Atlantic at the court of King George III and Queen Charlotte, musical taste was still clinging to more formal classical traditions. Through a curated selection of works, this program of chamber music illuminates the rich tapestry of British music during a period of imperial challenge and transformation. Each composition offers a glimpse into the diverse musical expressions of the time amidst the challenges posed by the American colonies’ fight for independence.

With the talents of period instrument specialists from the Handel and Hayden Society, Adriane Post (violin), Renée Hemsing (viola), and Guy Fishman (cello), journey back to a time when music echoed the hopes, dreams, and conflicts of those loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution. This “Tory Story” invites you to experience history through the emotive musical power of Handel, Haydn, and Mozart, the way that King George may have heard it, and celebrate the richness of cultural expression and the transformative impact of music during one of history’s most defining moments.