Samuel Sebastian Wesley: Anthems
£10.00
Samuel Sebastian Wesley was the pre-eminant organist-composer of the early Vitorian era. During his career he worked tirelessly for over forty years to raise the standard of music offered in English cathedrals, and this collection of his most popular anthems, including the equisite Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, reflects the culmination of his achievements in this field. Unashamedly Romantic yet original in style, Wesley’s music speaks with a powerful and wholly distinctive voice.
The Choir of Clare College
James McVinnie | Organ
Christopher Robinson | Director
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Reviews
“There are few lovelier anthems than Wesley’s Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace; Cast me notaway is worthy to stand with Purcell’s Hear my prayer; and among his larger choral compositions The Wilderness retains an enviable place in the service-lists. For those who know Ascribeunto the Lord there will be many more for whom its final chorus, ‘The Lord hath been mindful of us’, is a firm favourite, satisfying in structure, vigorous in counterpoint, and sporting as its main themes two of the best melodies in the chorister’s repertoire. The Choir of Clare College, which many will remember for their fresh and accomplished singing under John Rutter, is here directed by Christopher Robinson, than whom none better. The Robinson touch is manifest in the marvellous phrase ‘that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice’ (Cast me not away). Poor old Wesley had injured his in a fishing accident: he writes feelingly and the choir are with him. The ‘ransomed of the Lord’ passage in The Wilderness has terrific energy. And the soprano soloist in ‘And sorrow and sighing’ sings like an angel.” – Gramophone
“The fine Clare College choir sings [the anthems] with appropriate fervour.” – Sunday Times