In the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Kent Handel 's Messiah (arr Mozart) conducted by Sir John Pritchard Handel's masterpiece has been re-arranged many times and even recorded in a pop version. By contrast Mozart's arrangement, commissioned 200 years ago for a performance in German in Vienna, is restrained and elegant, using a baroque orchestra and redistributing high trumpet parts among the classical wind band. Tonight's concert celebrates the 300th anniversary of Handel's birth.
