Album: Various Artists, Royal Handel (Naïve)

The coronation of George II in October 1727 was marked by the first acclaiming "Alleluia!" of Handel's Zadok the Priest, and effectively established the German immigrant George Frideric Handel as the undisputed British court composer, a relationship tracked here in suitably majestic renditions of classic pieces by first-rate performers from across Europe: Zadok sung by the Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, the Messiah by Accentus with the Concerto Köln, Lucy Crowe singing "A Song for St Cecilia's Day", and a suite from the Water Music by Les Musiciens du Louvre. With contributions elsewhere from Sandrine Piau, Rinaldo Alessandrini and Bernarda Fink, among others, it's a beautifully performed set.

Download: Zadok the Priest; Hallelujah; Bourrée; Great Sarabande