The beauty of choral sound is immediately apparent in these compositions; their other strengths take time and a more energetic approach than they might seem to invite in order to be appreciated. Take Faire is the Heaven, best known and probably finest of these anthems: it is so lovely in sheer sound (the antiphonal richness of double choir, the serene arch of phrases, the simple effectiveness of modulation) that its intricacy and firmness of structure may elude recognition. The word-setting, too, is more specific than one might suppose. Similarly, Strengthen ye the weak hands is strong in its live responsiveness to words (the sudden blaze as the eyes of the blind are opened) and in the ‘thusness’ of its construction (the appendage of “O Saviour of the world” is a thoughtful, deliberate and rather inspired decision). In shorter works such as the Campion setting, Sing a Song of Joy, and the Quarles, Eternal God!, we find again the skills of a master-craftsman in choral sound, spanning the verses, spinning a seamless texture.
This disc provides the great service of bringing him into focus. We have had isolated anthems scattered around in the anthologies, but this tells so much more about what he was. The performances are remarkably sensitive in their handling of all that has been mentioned here – lyrical, incisive, expressive. The single complaint concerns tone quality. At first a certain hardness or edginess seems general, whether in the choir or the recording or both; then it comes to identify itself with the tenor line and sometimes the alto. It persists, and while it cannot be said to spoil the record it certainly wants smoothing out (compare, for example, the Cambridge Singers in Bring us, O Lord God). In other respects the singing is fine, as is Patrick Russill’s playing of the delightful organ solos.
An excellent booklet accompanies the disc, which probably does more for Sir William Harris’s memory than anything else since his death – which occurred, at the age of 90, in 1973.'