FAVOURITE HYMNS FROM WESTMINSTER ABBEY CHOIR

This recording by the Westminster Abbey Choir, conducted by Martin Neary, was made in 1997, the year of the 50th anniversary of the wedding in Westminster Abbey of HM The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, and two hymns from their Golden Wedding Service are included – May the Grace of Christ our Saviour, to Studland composed specially for the occasion, and Love Divine to the Welsh tune, Blaenwern. The popular response to the setting of St. Francis’ prayer, “Make me a channel of your peace” after the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, shows how much a hymn can mean to millions of people. Some others from that service are also included in the 20 favourites sung here with great passion.

Total time: 59:36

“This is a self-recommending disc which serves as a reminder of the lovely sound of the Westminster Abbey Choir under Martin Neary.” John Barnard – Hymn Society

• O Worship the King William Croft, desc. Alan Gray Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Dear Lord and Father of mankind C H H Parry Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• The King of love my shepherd is J B Dykes, Alan Gray desc. Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Make me a channel of your peace Sebastian Temple, arr. Martin Neary Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• I vow to thee my country Gustav Holst Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Be thou my vision Trad. Irish, harmonised: Erik Routley Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Who would true valour see Trad. English, arr. R Vaughan Williams Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Abide with me W H Monk, desc, Ernest Bullock Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Love divine, all loves excelling W P Rowlands. desc. Martin Neary Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• May the Grace of Christ Martin Neary Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Guide me, O thou Great Redeemer John Hughes Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Eternal Father, strong to save J B Dykes Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Give rest, O Christ Trad. Russian Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• O thou who camest from above Samuel Sebastian Wesley Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• O God, our help in ages past William Croft, des. Martin Neary Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Praise to the Holiest J B Dykes, desc. Martin Neary Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• The day thou gavest C C Scholefield Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• I would be true Trad. Irish Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• Christ is made the sure foundation Henry Purcell, desc. Martin Neary Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)
• O Praise ye the Lord C H H Parry Westminster Abbey Choir; Martin Neary (conductor), Martin Baker (organ)