Blessed be the God and Father

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composer

Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876)

for Easter Day, 1853, at Hereford Cathedral

author of text

Bible

1 Peter: 3-5, 15-17, 22-25

Introduction
English

Blessed be the God and Father was written for a service on Easter Day at Hereford Cathedral, when 'only Trebles and a single Bass voice' were available, the bass singer being the Dean's butler. The central portion of the work, a dialogue between a treble soloist and the treble chorus, is flanked by passages for tenors and basses alone. The final fughetta after the words 'But the word of the Lord endureth forever' is heralded by a dramatic dominant seventh chord of E flat on full organ.

Recordings

My Beloved's Voice

Jesus College Choir Cambridge, Mark Williams (conductor)

Studio Master: SIGCD370Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

Mark Williams leads the Choir of the Jesus College Cambridge through an evocative selection of choral works inspired in varying ways by the Songs of Songs.» More

Service high and anthems clear

Ely Cathedral Choir, Arthur Wills (conductor)

CDH88006Archive Service

» More

The English Anthem, Vol. 1

St Paul's Cathedral Choir, John Scott (conductor)

CDA66374Archive Service

‘Serene beauty that heals the spirit and calms the troubled soul. They sing with perfect unity and a rare vigour. Hyperion has captured the famed acou ...» More

Wesley (SS): Anthems, Vol. 1

Worcester Cathedral Choir, Donald Hunt (conductor), Adrian Partington (organ)

CDA66446Archive Service

‘The best and most comprehensive treatments the Wesley anthems are likely to have in commercial issue for some time to come’ (American Record Guide)» More

Details

Ely Cathedral Choir, Arthur Wills (conductor), Stephen le Provost (organ)

Track 2 on CDH88006 [8'40] Archive Service

St Paul's Cathedral Choir, John Scott (conductor), Andrew Lucas (organ)

Track 5 on CDA66374 [8'13] Archive Service

Worcester Cathedral Choir, Donald Hunt (conductor), Adrian Partington (organ), Thomas Blunt (treble)

Track 1 on CDA66446 [7'42] Archive Service

Alasdair Austin (treble), Jesus College Choir Cambridge, Mark Williams (conductor), Robert Dixon (organ)

Track 20 on SIGCD370 [7'30] Download only

Track-specific metadata

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