Parry: Songs of farewell & works by Stanford, Gray & Wood

Released June 2020

Stanford’s eight-part Latin Magnificat was posthumously dedicated to Parry, whose own Songs of farewell are unmistakably valedictory in mood. Personal as well as musical associations run deep in this poignantly expressive programme, recorded in June 2019 at All Hallows’ Church, Gospel Oak.

STANFORD Three Motets Op 38
Justorum animae
Caelos ascendit hodie
Beati quorum via

GRAY Evening Service in F minor
Magnificat
Nunc dimittis

STANFORD Magnificat for eight-part chorus in B flat Op 164

WOOD Nunc dimittis in B flat

PARRY Songs of Farewell
My soul there is a country
I know my soul hath power
Never weather-beaten sail
There is an old belief
At the round earth’s imagined corners
Lord, let me know mine end

James O’Donnell conductor

The Choir of Westminster Abbey

Album cover image: Statue of Moses at the High Altar, Westminster Abbey

Listen to extracts