BBC TV “A Prayer of St Richard of Chichester” (L J White): Lichfield Cathedral (Andrew Lumsden) 1998

An excerpt from an edition of a BBC TV series called “Advent Hope”, recorded in Lichfield Cathedral and broadcast on 29 November 1998. With the choristers of Lichfield Cathedral, directed by Andrew Lumsden, and Robert Sharpe (organ). Our apologies the choir and its director for the insensitive editing, which was carried out before the tape was donated to the Archive, and for the poor sound quality. If anyone has a “clean” copy of this broadcast, we would be interested to hear about it.
Leonard J White was choirmaster at St Andrew’s Willesden Green, London, until his death in the 1970s. This piece is thought to have been written around 1919 and was published in 1947. It sets a version of a prayer ascribed to the 13th-century Richard, Bishop of Chichester, which he is supposed to have recited on his death-bed.
O holy Jesus,
Most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,
May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
And follow Thee more nearly,
Day by day.
Amen.

[@djfraiser8431]

His VOICE!!!!!!!!! THIS is what an angel sounds like. What a beautiful sound.

[@nelsonwhaley6348]

What a lovely voice and sound from the boys..the music is strangely wistful and tugs at the heart strings.

[@pinkyandrexa]

P.S. ... it was a turning point for me, singing in my local church choir, to hear the boy soloist singing this anthem so effortlessly. I thought, if he can do this, then so can I. His well-rehearsed, relaxed self-confidence is a great example for anyone who wants to sing in public.

[@pinkyandrexa]

I am practicing this at home as we are singing it in the choir this coming Sunday. This is such a perfectly beautiful version, thanks so much for uploading it. It is an oasis of beauty and purity amid the glut of weird and disturbing videos that haunt RUclips. When I get sidetracked by those videos, I return to this one and can sleep more peacefully at night.

[@forestgreenorgangeeknopian8481]

Oh good, now I know who composed this tune. Leonard White. It's so much better than the modern tune (see my previous comment).

[@MHow-vd5xv]

beautiful and inspiring

[@clairespareoomcheepicheep7092]

I remember hearing this at All Saints Episcopal Church in 1988 at a concert. I love it!

[@forestgreenorgangeeknopian8481]

This tune is soooo much better than the modern tune that we sang at church last year.

[@MHow-vd5xv]

Angelic chant

[@kennethkelling7110]

Lovely

[@신카타리나-x9e]

천사의 소리 감사합니다

[@vidaameri6256]

bravissimi

[@rivinius1]

Ora pro nobis