Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley's hymns still carry congregations and choirs: bold doctrinal verse made for singing, from Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Christ the Lord Is Risen Today to Love Divine and Jesu, Lover of My Soul.
He wrote thousands of hymn texts for ordinary voices in worship: festival carols, Passion and Easter proclamations, and songs of personal devotion. The lines are thick with scripture and lit with metrical variety, so choirs and congregations still lean into them across the Christian year. On these recordings his words ride organ, brass and pure choral tone, the kind of singing that gives favourite hymns fresh dramatic lift without losing their prayer.
Compositions by Charles Wesley appear on
Songs and Praises
Favourite hymns from the Australian Hymn Book, Vol. 3. Choir and organ fill Trinity College Chapel, Melbourne, with the thrilling sound that hymn lovers know so well.
Hymns For All Seasons
Sixteen further hymns from Cantus Choro, recorded in the grand acoustic of St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. The programme opens with Advent and follows the great events of the Christian year, with Norman Kaye at the organ and the Melbourne Brass Ensemble.
Ding Dong Merrily on High
A baker's dozen of well-loved traditional Christmas carols featuring children's and men's voices. Recorded in the magnificent acoustics of St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne.
Sing Out With Joy
Cantus Choro, directed by Peter Chapman, sings seventeen favourite hymns from the Australian Hymn Book. Norman Kaye’s imaginative organ accompaniments give the well-known settings fresh dramatic shape and room for the choir to breathe.
Sing Round the Year
Donald Swann gathers eighteen carols and kindred songs of worship and praise, arguing that a carol need not be confined to Christmas. School choirs, organ and his own piano and voice share the programme.