C Hubert H Parry’s “I was glad”: St Paul’s Cathedral 1977 (Barry Rose)

A track from a 1977 LP entitled “Coronation Anthems”, recorded by the choir of St Paul’s Cathedral under the direction of Barry Rose, with Christopher Dearnley (organ) and trumpeters of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, conducted by Lt. Col. Trevor Sharpe. The Parry anthem is here preceded by Arthur Bliss’ “Jubilant Fanfare”.

The composer Charles Hubert Hastings Parry wrote “I was glad” in 1902 for the coronation of King Edward VII in Westminster Abbey. Its first performance was not entirely free from mishap because the director of music, Frank Bridge, misjudged the timing and finished the anthem before King arrived, which meant that the organist, Walter Alcock, was obliged to improvise for a while until the correct moment arrived, at which point “I was glad” was performed all over again.

The music sets verses 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 of Psalm 122 and includes the acclamations of “Vivat!” traditionally made by the King’s Scholars of Westminster School on the entrance of the sovereign. The royal acclamations are not performed liturgically unless the sovereign is present.

I was glad when they said unto me : We will go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand in thy gates : O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city : that is at unity in itself.
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls : and plenteousness within thy palaces.

Видео C Hubert H Parry’s “I was glad”: St Paul’s Cathedral 1977 (Barry Rose) канала Archive of Recorded Church Music