LORD, THOU HAST BEEN OUR REFUGE
An Anthem of Comfort by Vaughan Williams
This week’s Choral Masterpiece is by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. This piece is a favorite of William Baker, whose Choral Foundation includes the William Baker Festival Singers, the various Summer Singers groups and the Institute for Healthy Singing.
“There are composers and works that I admire, and there are composers and works that I love. Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of those composers and his anthem, Lord, Thou Has Been Our Refuge, is one of the main reasons. The work set for double choir is Psalm 90 with an echo of the chorale hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past” to the tune “St. Anne” that was dearly loved by the composer and appears in a number of his works. After 6 minutes a cappella, organ and trumpet enter with an amazing statement of hope and comfort as the piece culminates in profound majesty.
During times of heartbreak and struggle I have found comfort and reassurance in these words and in this music. It has affirmed for me the power and presence of God, the Rock that I cling to when the storms of life are raging. There was one period many years ago when I would play the recording every single morning to draw spiritual strength to face the day. There are a number of glorious recordings of the work. One of the many that I love is by the Voices of Ascension.”