Stanford: Choral Works Winchester College Chapel Choir & Malcolm Archer

• Charles Villiers Stanford (1852 - 1924): Morning, Evening & Communion Service in C Major, Op. 115 (Excerpts):
• 1 Morning, Evening & Communion Service in C Major, Op. 115 (Excerpts): II. Benedictus 05:15
• 3 Latin Motets, Op. 38:
• 2 3 Latin Motets, Op. 38: No. 3, Beati quorum via 03:36
• Charles Villiers Stanford:
• 3 Watts' Cradle Song 04:10
• Morning, Evening & Communion Service in C Major, Op. 115 (Excerpts):
• 4 Morning, Evening & Communion Service in C Major, Op. 115 (Excerpts): I. Te Deum 07:59
• 3 Latin Motets, Op. 38:
• 5 3 Latin Motets, Op. 38: No. 1, Justorum animae 03:08
• Bible Songs, Op. 113:
• 6 Bible Songs, Op. 113: No. 6, A Song of Wisdom (Arr. for Choir & Organ) 05:02
• Charles Villiers Stanford:
• 7 O for a Closer Walk with God 03:42
• 8 When, in Our Music, God Is Glorified 02:32
• 9 For Lo I Raise Up, Op. 145 08:20
• 3 Latin Motets, Op. 38:
• 10 3 Latin Motets, Op. 38: No. 2, Coelos ascendit hodie 01:58
• Charles Villiers Stanford:
• 11 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come, Op. 120 05:27
• 12 If Ye Then Be Risen 08:59
• 13 The Lord Is My Shepherd 08:48
• 14 O Praise the Lord of Heaven, Op. 27 (Arr. for Choir & Organ) 02:31
• Total Runtime 01:11:27

Info for Stanford: Choral Works

Convivium Records proudly present the sacred choral music of Charles Villiers Stanford, recorded by Winchester College Chapel Choir, with the new Dobson organ in Merton College Chapel, Oxford. This delightful collection includes some of Stanford’s best-known choral music alongside a number of works that are rarely performed and recorded.

Generously supported by the Stanford Society, the booklet programme notes have been compiled by Professor Jeremy Dibble, a leading authority on the composer’s music. The booklet cover portrait was specially commissioned for this release. Also included in the booklet are a number of images of Stanford’s manuscripts, kindly reproduced with permission from the Royal School of Church Music.

Born into an upper-middle-class family in Dublin in 1852, Charles Villiers Stanford received the core of his musical education in the organ lofts of the Irish capital’s two cathedrals of Christ Church and St Patrick’s. An organ scholarship to Queen’s College, Cambridge in 1870 enabled him to spread his wings, and migration to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1873 allowed even greater scope with its choir school and expanding choir of boys and men. Church music was therefore in Stanford’s blood from a tender age and it was one of many idioms in which he shone as a composer. Perhaps more importantly, Stanford’s cosmopolitan outlook allowed him to develop and experiment with traditional Anglican forms. Through the agencies of symphonic treatment and modern instrumental forms, the canticle, anthem, hymn and psalm were transformed in his hands while remaining (and therein lies the miracle) within the parameters of time restriction imposed by the liturgy. Even more astounding is the sheer range, quality and originality he was able to bring to these works throughout his career, well after he gave up employment as a church musician in 1892.

Winchester College Quiristers (trebles) have for over 625 years sung services in Winchester College Chapel. In modern times they have formed a choir (Winchester College Chapel Choir) renowned for its excellence, under the masterful direction of Malcolm Archer. In addition to singing four services each week in the College Chapel, the Quiristers regularly broadcast and record. In recent years the Chapel Choir has sung in the USA, Canada, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Italy, France, Holland and Russia. They perform a fascinating mix of both sacred and secular repertoire and regularly sing in London, where performances have included the BBC Promenade Concerts. They also frequently appear on TV and Radio. On three occasions since the Millennium, Quiristers have won the title of BBC Young Chorister of the Year, by any standards an outstanding record.

Jamal Sutton, organ
Winchester College Chapel Choir
Malcolm Archer, conductor

Winchester College Chapel Choir
sings the regular services in Winchester College Chapel. Winchester College was founded by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, in 1382, and Winchester College Quiristers have for over 625 years sung services in Winchester College Chapel. In modern times they have formed a choir renowned for its excellence, and their musical director is Malcolm Archer.

The Quiristers, who form the top line of the choir, perform a wide variety of music at home and abroad. They benefit from bursaries, a first rate all-round education, and a particularly broad musical training. This builds confidence, teamwork and a commitment to the highest standards. The Quiristers also sing on their own as a concert choir, as well as with Winchester College Chapel Choir. The senior boys from the College, many with previous experience as both choristers and Quiristers, provide the lower voices.

Since 1966 the Quiristers have attended The Pilgrims’ School. They are given bursaries which are funded by Winchester College, and means tested top up funding is available up to 100 per cent. At Pilgrims’ the Quiristers benefit from the best academic teaching and join in all the school’s sporting activities.

Malcolm Archer
has had a distinguished career in church music. He held the post of Organist and Director of Music at Bristol, Wells and St Paul’s Cathedral. He was subsequently Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College for eleven years.

Malcolm studied as an RCO scholar at the Royal College of Music and was Organ Scholar at Jesus College Cambridge. His organ teachers were Ralph Downes, Gillian Weir and Nicolas Kynaston.

As an organist and harpsichordist he is in frequent demand. He has given solo concerts all over the world, including the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Europe. His performances with orchestra have included Poulenc’s Organ Concerto and Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony, Brandenburg Concerto No.5 and the Bach keyboard concertos. Malcolm has also performed with the London Symphony Orchestra in a classic rock concert in the Royal Albert Hall. Moreover, he has an extensive concert repertoire and has recorded a wide variety of works including J.S. Bach organ works and Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneuras.

This album contains no booklet.