Description
Because exceptional recordings of Christian hymns are always in great demand, this 2007 collection from Griffin should satisfy most listeners' needs for its high-quality performances, well chosen program, and first-rate sound quality.
While these hymns are largely drawn from the Anglican hymn book, several have been selected from hymnals of other denominations and are familiar to many church-goers; a number of these hymn tunes were written by famous composers, such as Jeremiah Clarke, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, John Stainer, Herbert Howells, and Ralph Vaughan Williams, whose important contributions to the English Hymnal are well known and duly represented.
The singing of St. Paul's Cathedral Choir is impeccably British in its purity and crisp enunciation, and the direction of Malcolm Archer and organ accompaniment of Huw Williams keep the music moving forward with natural expression, even pacing, and reverent dignity. Griffin's reproduction captures the full sound of the choir and the organ in the highly resonant space of St. Paul's Cathedral, and the long reverberation at the hymns' closing cadences is quite impressive; yet everything is clear and perfectly audible, with almost no blurring of tones or accidental noises.
1 Ye Holy Angels Bright
2 Cross of Jesus
3 Praise My Soul the King of Heaven
4 O Strength and Stay
5 For All the Saints
6 Come Down O Love Divine
7 All My Hope
8 O King Enthroned On High
9 The Lord's My Shepherd
10 Immortal Love for Ever Full
11 O Praise Ye the Lord
12 There's a Wideness in God's Mercy
13 Sing to Him in Whom Creation
14 Christ Be the Lord of All Our Days
15 King of Glory, King of Peace
16 Christ Triumphant, Ever Reigning
17 Jesus Where'er Thy People Meet
18 Give Me the Wings of Faith
19 The Day Thou Gavest
20 Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
21 O Thou Who Camest from Above
22 Lord Enthroned in Heavenly Splendour