Your Favourite English Anthem

[Petrushka]

I don't dip a toe into the Choir Forum very often as I know there are people here much more knowledgeable than I am but I thought I'd start a thread on the English anthem some of which were great favourites during my time as a chorister in the 1960s.

My all time favourite is O Thou the Central Orb by Charles Wood. It was a terrific sing as a treble and it's still a firm favourite as a listener.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-XVJK_f4uA

What other favourites and memories are there out there?

[DracoM]

First thought is Parsons: Ave Maria

We had just arrived back at home base about 3 a.m form a gig a long way away. Parents waiting to collect lads, but Head Chorister said we could not leave without singing something. So we stood in more or less complete darkness on the high altar, a vague glimmer of streetlight getting in, music was packed away anyway, so we sang the Parsons from memory, including that sublime 'Amen'.

[Philip]

What a question! There is an embarrassment of riches to choose from, so to pick one would be impossible. I can offer a selection...

Tudor era:
Full anthem - Ave verum corpus (Byrd). Not the most complex thing ever, but it is just timeless. The best bit is from halfway (and you get it twice - even better!).
Verse anthem - See, see the word is incarnate (Gibbons). Gibbons at his finest, when paired with the Second Service its verse music heaven.

Jehova quam multi sunte hostes mei (Purcell) would have to get a mention somewhere, has everything Purcell can throw at you.

For my Victorian mush, it would have to be Balfour Gardiner's Evening Hymn. Sumptuous, lush, rich and romantic, and a satisfying organ part to play.

For the 20th century, I can't beat Lo the full, final sacrifice (Finzi). One sublime musical episode to the next, the momentum just builds throughout and then it all fades away with that serene Amen.

Edit - or can I? Just remembered Viri Galilaei (Gowers) - an amazing piece of writing, just a shame you can only really do it round Ascensiontide.

I'm sure I can/will add to this list...

[Petrushka]

First thought is Parsons: Ave Maria

We had just arrived back at home base about 3 a.m form a gig a long way away. Parents waiting to collect lads, but Head Chorister said we could not leave without singing something. So we stood in more or less complete darkness on the high altar, a vague glimmer of streetlight getting in, music was packed away anyway, so we sang the Parsons from memory, including that sublime 'Amen'.

What a great memory! I'm hoping to expand my knowledge of some of these anthems via this thread and perhaps reawaken some memories. This and Philip's list are just what I want. Another one I used to enjoy singing was God is Gone Up with a Merry Noise by William Croft.

[edashtav]

[...]

For my Victorian mush, it would have to be Balfour Gardiner's Evening Hymn. Sumptuous, lush, rich and romantic, and a satisfying organ part to play.

...

Hey Mush, your Victorian mush is Edwardian (1908), ED.

[Philip]

Hey Mush, your Victorian mush is Edwardian (1908), ED.

Oops...it sounds a bit Victorian though.

Perhaps I should pick some SS Wesley...Ascribe or The Wilderness perhaps. This is where the list gets longer and longer!

[Petrushka]

Perhaps I should pick some SS Wesley...

Wash me Thoroughly from My Wickedness is my favourite SS Wesley, though never sang it as far as I can recall.

[Serial_Apologist]

Walton - Set me as a Seal upon thy Heart

[decantor]

ENGLISH anthem? Does that mean English composer or English text? I cover myself by going (initially) for both:

Hear my prayer - Purcell
I love the Lord - Harvey

[Chris Watson]

All the previous answers are totally wrong. The answer is Loquebantur O Lord Make Thy Servant Tribue Domine Suscipe Quaeso In Manus Tuas Libera Nos Te Lucis Christe Qui Lux Almighty God The Fountain Of All Wisdom Behold Thou Hast Made My Days O Clap Your Hands My Beloved Spake Lord Let Me Know Mine End In Exitu The Wilderness Ascribe Vox Dicentis Lord Thou Hast Been Our Refuge I Sat Down A Spotless Rose Take Him Earth One Thing Have I Desired Like As The Heart Plebs Angelica View Me Lord Faire Bring Us The Twelve Drop Drop Slow Where Does The Uttered Sweet And Sacred Lo The Full What Sweeter Music. I think I spelt that correctly.

[decantor]

All the previous answers are totally wrong. The answer is Loquebantur O Lord Make Thy Servant Tribue Domine Suscipe Quaeso In Manus Tuas Libera Nos Te Lucis Christe Qui Lux Almighty God The Fountain Of All Wisdom Behold Thou Hast Made My Days O Clap Your Hands My Beloved Spake Lord Let Me Know Mine End In Exitu The Wilderness Ascribe Vox Dicentis Lord Thou Hast Been Our Refuge I Sat Down A Spotless Rose Take Him Earth One Thing Have I Desired Like As The Heart Plebs Angelica View Me Lord Faire Bring Us The Twelve Drop Drop Slow Where Does The Uttered Sweet And Sacred Lo The Full What Sweeter Music. I think I spelt that correctly.

You're right, of course - and you spelt it brilliantly. But - forgive my forgetfulness - who was the composer? Didn't he have some fancy double-barrelled name? Do please remind me.

[mercia]

My Beloved Spake .

Purcell? Tomkins? Hadley? Searle? or A N Other

[Chris Watson]

Henry P all the way!

[Beef Oven!]

Smoke On The Water.

[MrGongGong]

Smoke On The Water.

That's Swiss matey
I'd go for

Farewell to the Crown: Chumba's

BUT otherwise ............... (and probably surprisingly ?)
I would choose

Prevent us, O Lord: Caleb Jarvis

because remember him writing it and singing in the first performance ..........