Handel's connection and support for the children at the Foundling Hospital in Bloomsbury is widely known. However, what is perhaps less well known is that the children who were living there may have been involved in singing regularly. Solemn Notes of Sweetest Sound is a fascinating collection of ten works by men and women composers drawn from publications originally issued by the charity institutions of London throughout the period 1729-1804 which were evidently sung by the children of the charity schools in the chapels of the institutions. Ranging from hymns, psalms and anthems, scored for one or two upper voices, some with solo, duet, semi-chorus and tutti combinations, with organ accompaniment, the pieces are of varied length and have been selected to ‘provide performance options across the liturgical year’.

Interestingly, the first piece, O God our Lord, how wonderful are thy works by William Richardson, is set specifically for boys and girls to be sung in alternation and combined. Music by prominent musicians of the time, such as Thomas Arne and John Stanley, are featured and, as noted in the preface, the collections reveal how it was evidently acceptable for women composers to be included in association with these institutions; for example, there is a piece by Maria Barthelemon, Hide thy face from my sins (first movement), which was composed for the Asylum and Magdalen chapels.

Editor Rachel Webber suggests that choir directors should choose forces as appropriate for their circumstances rather than to follow the original sources, which I think could provide many creative options. Young choirs will find the pieces very approachable to sing and will be drawn to the background of the settings that represent moments in time that are historically intriguing and profound.

This collection is a welcome resource for upper voices and it is good to read that some more extended anthems from the repertoire are being prepared for publication.

Compiled and edited by Rachel Webber

Published on behalf of the Church Music Society by Oxford University Press ISBN 9780193707948; Church Music Society Publications RS154 £4.95