Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Hubert Parry (1848 - 1918) and Charles Stanford (1852 - 1924) are giants of Anglican music.  Towards the end of Parry's life the two had fallen out but Stanford composed his "Magnificat For Eight-Part Chorus" as a gesture of goodwill towards Parry.  In the event, it was completed just a few days before Parry's death and dedicated to him "in grief."  In his last few years Parry had been writing 'The Songs of Farewell'.  "There Is An Old Belief" dates from 1907 but Parry revised it and wrote new settings for "My Soul, There Is A Country", "I Know My Soul Has Power To Know All Things", and "Never Weather-Beaten Sail".  So the collection we have here could seem depressing.  This is not the case.  It is reflective and contemplative but above all optimistic.  One of the other pieces by Stanford on this disc is "O For A Closer Walk With God" and, for those who do walk with God, death is just a continuation of the journey that concludes with "Ye Choirs Of New Jerusalem", the closing contribution from Stanford's half of the disc.  The Choir of Christ's College, Cambridge under David Rowland do full justice to the music. 

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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