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Music for the Church's Year
Choir of St Mary' Cathedral, Auckland
Directed by Peter Godfrey
- Psalm 48 chant: Bridge (2:47)
- Rejoice In The Lord Alway four part anthem, composer unknown (3:23)
- Psalm 85 chant: Martin (2:57)
- Saw A Maiden, Sitting And Sing old Basque noel, refrain Edgar Pettman (2:4)
- Here Is The Little Door music: Herbert Howells (3:20)
- Psalm 130 chant: Cooke (2:05)
- Hear My Prayer, 0 God music: Adrian Batten (d. circa 1637) (4:07)
- My God, My God, Look Upon Me music: John Blow (4:18)
- By Jesus' Grave tune 0 Mensch Sichfrom Bohemian Brethren hymn book (2:2 1)
- Psalm 30 chants: Havergal and Battishill (3:03)
- Jesus Christ From Death Has Risen tune: J F Rotscher 1790 (1:40)
- God Is Gone Up With A Merry Noise music: William Croft (4:21)
- O Thou Sweetest Source Of Gladness tune: Daniel Vetter, arr. J S.Bach (2:06)
- Psalm 68 verses 1-8 chant: Ley (2:19)
- O Thou Who Camest From Above tune "Hereford" by S.S. Wesley (2:56)
- 'Twas In The Year That King Uzziah Died tenth century tune (2:05)
- Psalm 29 chant: Attwood (2:41)
A collection of hymns, carols, psalms, and anthems illustrating the seasons of the Church's year. The psalms are sung, in the manner known as "Anglicaii chanting". Apart from the Bach chorale, "O Thou Sweetest Source", the singing is unaccompanied.
Recording Engineer: Bruce Barton. Cover photograph, interior of the cathedral: Philip Fewings CD compilation: Robin Gummer Total playing time 49:55
CHOIR OF ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL, AUCKLAND This is a mixed choir of some twelve sopranos, eight contraltos, two tenors and eight basses drawn from all over Auckland. Contrary to popular belief there are no boys in the choir. The age limit is thirty-five for the ladies and forty-five for men. Services in the cathedral other than for special occasions, are musically something of a compromise, in order to cater for the final dual purpose of parish church and cathedral. All the appointed psalms for the day are now sung unaccompanied, for which the congregation sits. Plans are now advanced towards the establishment of a Cathedral choir School, which will be responsible for the education and training of boys to sing services in the cathedral. Peter Godfrey Mr. Godfrey came to Auckland from England in 1958 as organist to the cathedral, and lecture in music at the University of Auckland. Since then he has become permanent conductor of the Auckland String Players and the Dorian Singers. He has also acted as guest conductor to the Auckland Junior Symphony Orchestra, the Auckland Choral Society and the Secondary Schools Festival. After being a chorister in the choir of Kings College Cambridge he returned to the University as scholar in Sacred Music as well as a bass choral scholar in the same choir. He held appointments as assistant director of music at Uppingham School and Marlborough College and during his last four years in England was in charge of the music at Marlborough, one of the most prominent public schools in England The Cathedral The Cathedral Church of St. Mary ranks among the most notable wooden buildings in the world. It was built in 1888 of kauri timber, used in such a way as to make the interior somewhat reminicent of the Gothic churches of England, though with a character all its own. The exterior vertical boards and battens are painted a soft light grey, which is enhanced by the noble oaks that surround it. The cathedral has been the setting of many solemn, historic, and happy events, including the consecration of a number of bishops, and has been honoured by the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury (now Lord Fisher) and on Christmas Day. 1953, of Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Sacred & Choral / New Zealand
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