Kevin Sutton wrote:

>Whereas Bach and Handel certainly rank up there, I don't always consider
>them, or any baroque composer for that matter, up there as a "greatest
>ever" choral composer.  The reason is that in many cases, they treat the
>choir as another instrument in the orchestra and don't always compose to
>the strengths of a purely vocal ensemble.  ...

That's a very interesting reply, Kevin.  I would have that in composing a
choral work, the composer would have given equal balance to the orchestra
and the choir.  Your example of the Coronation Anthems is quite correct.
I think I'll listen to choral music differently now.

Thanks for the insight.  Cheers,

Alex Renwick,
Ottawa, Canada