For lo, I raise up, Op 145

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composer

Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

1914; ST soli, SATB divisi + organ; published in 1939

author of text

Bible

Habakkuk 1: 6-12; 2: 1-3, 14, 20, adapted

Introduction
English

For lo, I raise up, Op 145, Stanford’s most dramatic anthem, was composed in 1914, though it was left unpublished until 1939. When the strategic bombing of London began in January 1915, Stanford moved out to Windsor where it was safer and, according to E H Fellowes, he subsequently became a regular visitor to St George’s Chapel where his RCM colleague, Parratt, was organist and music director. (The manuscript of the anthem still resides in the Library of St George’s.) Horrified by the war and what he saw as Germany’s betrayal of its artistic heritage, Stanford attempted to articulate his hope for Britain’s future deliverance through the analogy of Habakkuk’s Old Testament prophecies. Set in F minor, the first part of this extended work is a turbulent affair, an indictment of the war-mongers who plundered and laid waste to the land. Yet, in the face of inexorable violence and destruction, Stanford mirrored Habakkuk’s vision of peace in a climactic statement of hope and deliverance (‘We shall not die’) in F major. Building on this declaration of spiritual confidence the momentum increases, animated by a sense of divine destiny (‘The vision is yet for the appointed time’) and an impassioned acclamation of faith (‘For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord’) which is tempered only by the gripping tranquillity of the hushed coda (‘But the Lord is in his holy temple’).

Recordings

Bairstow, Harris & Stanford: Choral works

Westminster Abbey Choir, James O'Donnell (conductor), Peter Holder (organ)

Studio Master: CDA68259Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

Three composers whose contributions to the Anglican choral tradition are rich in historical significance.» More

Lest we forget

Chichester Cathedral Choir, Charles Harrison (conductor), Timothy Ravalde (organ)

Studio Master: SIGCD562Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

Exploring the themes associated with human conflict—and the powerful musical responses these have so often elicited—this recording has been made in support of Combat Stress, a charity on whose support traumatized service personnel have been able t ...» More

Stanford: Cathedral Music

Worcester Cathedral Choir, Donald Hunt (conductor)

CDA66030Archive Service

‘A prestigious disc’ (The Monthly Guide to Recorded Music)» More

Stanford: Choral Music

Trinity College Choir Cambridge, Stephen Layton (conductor)

Studio Master: CDA68174Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

A selection of Stanford’s finest church music in a wide-ranging programme from Trinity College Choir.» More

Stanford: Sacred choral music

Winchester Cathedral Choir, David Hill (conductor)

CDS44311/33CDs Boxed set (at a special price)

This three-disc set contains a generous selection of Stanford’s sacred choral music—settings for Matins, Evensong, motets, anthems and hymns—perfectly performed by Winchester Cathedral Choir at its best, conducted by David Hill.» More

The English Anthem, Vol. 6

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

CDA66826Archive Service

‘St Paul's is the king of cathedral choirs, and the sound of their singing, with the majesty of the organ in the awesome reverberance of the great bui ...
‘Truly heroic performances from the St Paul's Choir which is on top form. A memorable record’ (Organists' Review)» More