Despite being an amateur group, the Dartington Community Choir is renowned for its high standards of performance and its singers are unafraid of tackling challenging works under the professional direction of conductor Simon Capet.

For its spring concert the choir will sing two works from the Baroque era for its concert at Dartington Great Hall on Sunday April 24.

These are two contrasting works by Handel and Bach who were born in the same area in Germany and within a month of each other in 1685.

Choir spokeswoman Shona Morley said: “Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum and Bach’s Cantata No. 20 could hardly be more different, though both are religious compositions and in the Baroque tradition.

“Handel’s Te Deum was commissioned by George II to celebrate his victory against the French, whereas the Bach Cantata is one of 150 written over four years to be sung in the Thomaskirche in Lepzig where Bach was the kantor.

“Handel’s Te Deum written in 1743 ranks amongst his greatest celebratory works.

“Triumphant, thrilling and exuberant complete with trumpets and drums, this is music of assertive patriotism.

“However, it is also music of a deep faith and the consciousness of right, with moments of humility and yearnings for God’s guidance.

“Bach’s Cantata No. 20 is full of anxiety and emotional complexity, interwoven with themes of the fear of eternity and sin and the redemptive power of belief.

“It was very original for its time combining the sophisticated French style of Louis 14th’s court with the modest simplicity of German church music.

“Hauntingly beautiful and unworldly Bach creates simplicity out of complex harmonies.”

The choir and its conductor will be accompanied by The Dartington Sinfonietta with mezzo soprano Martha McLorian and tenor Peter Davoren.

Bass and soprano soloists are to be confirmed.

Tickets are available by phoning Dartington Box Office on 01803 847070, or online at www.dartington.org