Choral Evensong ยท 26 September 2026
Music by Batten, Byrd and Purcell, with psalms, responses and canticles from the Anglican evening tradition.
A Spacious End to the Day
Choral Evensong is the Church of England’s evening office, rooted in the Book of Common Prayer.
Much of the service is sung by the choir: psalms, canticles, responses and an anthem, framed by readings and prayers. It offers a spacious, contemplative end to the day, where worshippers can listen, pray and be carried by the music.
Introit
Adrian Batten (c.1591–1637) was a chorister at Winchester Cathedral and later organist at St Paul’s Cathedral. His Haste thee O God sets the opening verse of Psalm 70 with characteristic directness: “Haste thee, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.” In the Tudor tradition, the voices enter imitatively, building a sense of urgent prayer that gives way to calm assurance - a fitting opening for an evening of reflection.
Preces & Responses
William Byrd (c.1540–1623) is widely regarded as the greatest English composer of the Tudor period. A pupil of Thomas Tallis and organist of the Chapel Royal, his output ranges from Latin masses and motets to Anglican service music and works for viols. His Preces and Responses are distinguished by their modal clarity and the natural way they shape the dialogue between priest and choir. Each petition is set with restraint and dignity, allowing the words to speak with quiet authority.
Opening Hymn
The German original, by Joachim Neander, was given new English words by Robert Bridges in 1899. The tune Michael was composed by Herbert Howells (1892–1983) as a memorial to his son, and first appeared in the New English Hymnal in 1986. Its long, arching phrases and warm tonality have made it a firm favourite, perfectly matching Bridges’s text of steadfast trust in divine providence.
Psalms
1 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Canticles
Batten’s Fourth Service is a fine example of the early 17th-century “verse” service, in which sections for full choir alternate with passages for smaller groups of solo voices. The Magnificat moves from a poised opening to joyful cascades at “for he that is mighty,” while the Nunc Dimittis brings the service to a serene close with its gentle, trusting setting of “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.”
Anthem
Henry Purcell (1659–1695) was organist of Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal, and is widely celebrated as one of England’s greatest composers. His anthem I was glad was written for the coronation of King James II in 1685. Beginning with a stately, processional opening on the words “I was glad when they said unto me,” the music builds through the acclamations of “Peace be within thy walls” to a resplendent “Alleluia.” Its ceremonial grandeur and heartfelt devotion have made it a cornerstone of the English choral repertoire.
Final Hymn
Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847) wrote this exuberant paraphrase of Psalm 103 during his final years as a parish priest in Devon. The tune Praise My Soul was composed by Sir John Goss (1800–1880), organist of St Paul’s Cathedral, and has become one of the most beloved hymn tunes in the English-speaking world. Its soaring melody and rhythmic drive capture the joy of praise, sending the congregation out with a song of thanksgiving on their lips.