A week ago, we played works by Gibbons and Weelkes, contemporaries of Batten. They all composed in the early 1600s and wrote anthems in English for the Anglican Church. Batten may be less celebrated than the other two, but he was “Vicar Choral” at both Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. And this particular anthem is sung by countless church choirs in every English-speaking country. It is irresistible, with its melodic invention, word-painting (“blow up!”), and just-plain joyfulness!

– Dennis Keene

ADRIAN BATTEN O Sing Joyfully

Voices of Ascension
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director

from the Delos recording Beyond Chant ℗ 1994 Delos
The singers in this performance are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.