Bairstow, Harris & Stanford: Choral Works - Westminster Abbey Choir

‘The revelation for me was Stanford’s powerful response to the unfolding carnage of the Great War, his 1915 anthem For lo, I raise up. Beneath the superficial swagger lies one of his most inspired works. The choral singing here is breathtakingly good … the expert craftsmanship of these three composers has been truly well served by James O’Donnell and his wonderful musicians’ (Gramophone)

1
Blessed city, heavenly Salem[8'49]Sir Edward Cuthbert Bairstow (1874-1946)
Ruihan Bao-Smith (treble)
2
Let all mortal flesh keep silence[3'43]Sir Edward Cuthbert Bairstow (1874-1946)
Mark Dobell (tenor), Robert Macdonald (bass)
3
The Lamentation How doth the city sit solitary[8'22]Sir Edward Cuthbert Bairstow (1874-1946)
4
Bring us, O Lord God[3'50]Sir William Harris (1883-1973)
5
Strengthen ye the weak hands The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth[6'49]Sir William Harris (1883-1973)
Julian Stocker (tenor)
6
Faire is the heaven[5'07]Sir William Harris (1883-1973)
7
Flourish for an Occasion[5'21]Sir William Harris (1883-1973)
Bible Songs and Six Hymns Op 113Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
8
No 6a: A Song of Wisdom I came forth from the mouth of the Most High[4'49]
9
No 6b: O for a closer walk with God[3'09]
10
For lo, I raise up Op 145[7'48]Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
James Thomson (treble), Simon Wall (tenor)
Evening Service in A Op 12[12'16]Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
11
Magnificat My soul doth magnify the Lord[6'27]
12
Nunc dimittis Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace[5'49]
13
Gloria in excelsis Glory be to God on high (Movement 1 of Festal Communion Service in B flat, Op 128)[5'32]Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
Thomas Byrne (treble)

Three composers whose contributions to the Anglican choral tradition are rich in historical significance: no less than the Abbey itself, much of this music is inseparably bound up with the national celebrations or commemorations appropriate to war, coronation and royal marriage.