Recordings

O praise the Lord: Restoration music from Westminster Abbey

Released April 2010 (Hyperion CDA67792)

The Choir of Westminster Abbey under director James O’Donnell delves into the Abbey’s vaults for this fascinating programme of music from the Restoration era.

ChildO praise the Lord
BlowVoluntary in A
BlowGod is our hope and strength
BlowVenite
TurnerPsalm 113
BlowVoluntary in D minor
PurcellBenedicite (Complete Service in B flat)
PurcellBenedictus (Complete Service in B flat)
PurcellO Lord God of hosts
BlowVoluntary in D minor
BlowSalvator mundi, salva nos
PurcellJehova, quam multi sunt hostes mei
PurcellVoluntary in D minor
PurcellHear my prayer, O Lord
TurnerPsalm 54
PurcellVoluntary in C minor
PurcellMagnificat (Complete Service in B flat)
PurcellNunc dimittis (Complete Service in B flat)
PurcellLord, how long wilt thou be angry
PurcellVoluntary in G major

James O’Donnell conductor
Robert Quinneyorgan
The Choir of Westminster Abbey

This recording from The Choir of Westminster Abbey presents music likely to have been sung by – and in some cases, almost certain to have been written for – the Abbey Choir during the late 1670s and early 1680s. The triumphant mood of the Restoration required much glorious liturgical music, and the Abbey was home to some of the greatest composers and performers of the age. On this disc the Abbey Choir sings four canticles from the compendiousService in B flat by Henry Purcell, together with psalmody in reconstructed contemporary style, and anthems and motets by Purcell and his contemporary John Blow, who famously both preceded and succeeded Purcell as Organist of the Abbey.

Reviews

"A highly accomplished and nicely varied survey of Restoration music."
- Gramophone

"The Abbey choir, under James O'Donnell, conveys the thrill of Purcell's music and the whole disc is marked by crucial attention to the articulation of words and the careful balancing of choral sonorities."
- The Daily Telegraph

"Clear and uncluttered sound, the antiphonal effects nicely caught in a faultless Hyperion recording."
- International Record Review