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The idea of a compilation of anthems based on hymns is an obvious one, but I'm not sure it has been done much in the past. This is a representative selection chosen from the vast repertoire of such pieces from the 'golden era' of the genre - the late 19th- and early 20th-centuries. All are based on hymn texts; some preserve the well-known melodies intact while others are either totally free or treat the tune freely. The selection includes such monumental favourites as Parry's 'Hear my Words' and Bairstow's 'Blessed City' alongside more intimate delights such as Stanford's 'O for a Closer Walk'. There are some lesser known anthems which afford equal delights such as Walford Davies's exciting 'O Sons and Daughters' and a striking early work of John Ireland based on the text, though not significantly of the melody, of 'Vexilla Regis'. Sir George Dyson's setting of Herbert's 'Let all the World' is an interesting alternative to the more currently fashionable Vaughan Williams or Kenneth Leighton settings.
It almost goes without saying that the performances throughout are excellent and the recorded sound vividly captures the unique acoustic of King's College Chapel, along with its famous organ. Those who attend services there will know that even the most familiar and simplest music is always given careful treatment, with loving attention to detail; and so they are here. The final item - Vaughan Williams' 'Lord Thou hast been our Refuge' - comes to a glorious climax with the trumpet of Alison Balsom providing the counterpoint of the tune 'St Anne' against the chant-like setting of Psalm 90, the words on which the hymn 'O God our Help in Ages Past' was originally based.
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