Rejoice, the Lord is king! Great hymns from Westminster Abbey

Julian Empett (bass), Jonathan Brown (bass), Robert Quinney (organ) & Westminster Abbey Choir, James O'Donnell

In this new album, Westminster Abbey rings with the voices of the choir and organ lifted in the great hymns which, familiar to all, are a vital part of our national character and history. The recording brings the experience of Abbey occasions—from royal weddings to state funerals to regular services—into the home.

The singing of hymns has its roots in the earliest days of the Christian church and remains a central part of the liturgy. In the Anglican church, and nowhere more so than in Westminster Abbey, this is a tradition that thrives, and where tunes from the sixteenth century sit happily alongside fervent Methodist outpourings, profound Victorian sentiment, the ‘rediscoveries’ of Vaughan Williams, and arrangements by the Abbey’s musicians of today.

anon.:
 I bind unto myself today (St Patrick's Breastplate)
 Let all mortal flesh keep silence
 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Croft:
 O worship the King (Hanover)

Gibbons, O:
 Drop, drop, slow tears

Goss, J:
 Praise my soul, the King of Heaven

Handel:
 Judas Maccabaeus: Thine be the glory
 Rejoice, the Lord is King, HWV286

Howells:
 All my hope on God is founded

Hughes, J:
 Guide me, O thou great Redeemer (Cwm Rhondda)

Irvine, Jessie:
 The Lord's My Shepherd (Crimond)

Monk, W H:
 Abide with me

Parry:
 Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (Repton)
 Jerusalem
 O praise ye the Lord

Purcell:
 Christ is made the sure foundation (Westminster Abbey)

Rowlands:
 Love divine, all loves excelling (Blaenwern)

Vaughan Williams:
 Come down, O Love divine (Down Ampney)
 The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune 'All people that on earth do dwell'

Wesley, S S:
 O Thou who camest from above (Hereford)