Great Cathedral Anthems 6

On this CD:

1. O Lord, arise, anthem for 7 voices
Composed by Thomas Weelkes
Performed by Michael Hoeg

2. O Lord, Look Down from Heaven, anthem for chorus & organ
Composed by Jonathan Battishill
Performed by Michael Hoeg

3. Remember, O Lord, What Is Come Upon Us
Composed by Thomas Attwood Walmisley
Performed by Michael Hoeg

4. I Saw the Lord, anthem, for chorus & organ
Composed by John Stainer
Performed by Michael Hoeg

5. Blest are the pure in heart
Composed by Mansel Thomas
Performed by Michael Hoeg

6. Jesu, lover of my soul
Composed by William Stanton
Performed by Michael Hoeg

7. Coventry Antiphon for chorus
Composed by Herbert Howells
Performed by Michael Hoeg

8. Strengthen Ye the Weak Hands
Composed by William H. Harris
Performed by Michael Hoeg

9. Ye Choirs of new Jerusalem
Composed by Richard Shephard
Performed by Michael Hoeg

10. And when the builders laid the foundations of the Temple of the Lord, anthem
Composed by Richard Shephard
Performed by Michael Hoeg

11. For thy servant David
Composed by Mansel Thomas
Performed by Michael Hoeg

12. And when the builders laid the foundations of the Temple of the Lord, Anthem
Composed by Edmund Rubbra
Performed by Michael Hoeg

Tracks:

Anthems And Verse Anthems: Hosanna To The Son Of David
Anthems And Verse Anthems: Sing Unto The Lord
Anthems And Verse Anthems: This Is The Record Of John
Anthems And Verse Anthems: If Ye Be Risen Again With Christ
Anthems And Verse Anthems: O Lord, In Thy Wrath Rebuke Me Not
Anthems And Verse Anthems: Second Evening Service - Magnificat
Anthems And Verse Anthems: Second Evening Service - Nunc dimittis
Anthems And Verse Anthems: Behold, Thou Has Made My Days
Anthems And Verse Anthems: O God, The King Of Glory
Anthems And Verse Anthems: Gloriious And Powerful God
Anthems And Verse Anthems: Fantasia In A Minor
Anthems And Verse Anthems: O Clap Your Hands
Anthems And Verse Anthems: Thou God Of Wisdom
Anthems And Verse Anthems: Blessed Are All They That Fear The Lord
Anthems And Verse Anthems: Great King Of Gods

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fanI.......2006-01-18

Gibbon's church music covers two broad fields. On the one hand there are settings of texts for the 'ordinary' offices. In contrast, there are the anthems which themselves divide into full and 'verse' types. The full anthem is self-explanatory: it is a setting for the full choir. Examples on this disc are: 'Hosanna to the Son of David'-'O Lord in thy wrath rebuke me not' and O 'O Clap Your Hands'. The verse anthem intersperses solos for one or more voices, usually from the beginning of a work, with short choral passages which repeat or reinforce the preceding solo material. The verse anthems probably have their origin in the consort song, a secular solo form, accompanied by viols. Whereas the consort song employed viols, in church the only accompaniment was the organ. Such music is the main focus of this recording. Only 3 of Gibbon's verse anthems are scored for a single soloist. Two of them included here are:'This is the record of John' and 'Behold, thou hast made my days'. The solo voice is in the alto, the most commonly used voice part, and the voice most frequently divided in the 5 part textures of the choruses. The variety pf texture and compositional devices in the verse anthems show Gibbons at his best.I am only giving this 4 stars instead of 5 because I was constantly trying to understand the words at least half of the time. However, there is great beauty in the sound of the voices including that of the soloists which include Robin Blaze whose voice is very well suited to this kind of music. And I prefer the all male choir with boy sopranos and countertenors. Orlando Gibbons preferred the alto voice in his solo writing and it's very much in evidence thruout this disc; pleasantly so! The selection of anthems is excellent and in the twowell-known verse anthems :"This Is The Record of John" and "Behold Thou Hast Made My Days" Robin Blaze is singing the solo parts. There are many little duets and trios on this disc that are very enjoyable. I find myself listening to it frequently.