Charles Hylton Stewart (1884-1932) was an English organist and composer. Among his compositions are a number of Anglican chants. Here is a performance of Stewart’s setting of Psalm 23 by the Choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral (London)
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Stanford, Justorum animae
Justorum animae is one of three motets by Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) published in 1905 (though they were probably written more than a decade earlier). It is a setting of a text from the deuterocanonical book of Wisdom: “Justorum animae in manu Dei sunt, et non tanget illos tormentum mortis. Visi sunt oculis insipientium mori, illi autem sunt in pace.” “The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die; but they are in peace.” The text has long been used as the Offertory proper for the Feast of All Saints. Here is a performance of Stanford’s…
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Tallis, Blessed are those that be undefiled
This anthem by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) is a setting of Psalm 119:1-6. The translation is from the Coverdale Psalter (1535), which is the text used in the Book of Common Prayer. Blessed are those that be undefiled in the way : and walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies : and seek him with their whole heart. For they who do no wickedness : walk in his ways. Thou hast charged us O Lord : that we shall diligently keep thy commandments. O that our ways were made so direct : that we might keep thy statutes! So shall we not be confounded…
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William Byrd, Beati mundo corde
In 1605 and 1607, William Byrd published two collections of motets which included the famed Communion motet Ave verum corpus (sung frequently by our choir) and the little-known setting of a Latin text from the final verses of the Beatitudes, Beati mundo corde. Beati mundo corde quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt. Beati pacifici quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur. Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter iustitiam quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This text is…