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Thomas Matthews
(1915-1999) was longtime organist, choirmaster and resident composer at
Trinity Episcopal Church, Tulsa. His music is beloved by church
choirs and congregations around the world.
This is the first compilation of Matthews' music on compact disc.
Matthews' music was written to be performed as a part of worship in the
Anglican tradition, combining the poetry of the Scriptures and the Book of
Common Prayer with rich vocal harmonies and the majesty of the pipe
organ. The title song, a setting of the 23rd Psalm, has sold over a
million copies of sheet music.
The disc includes 15 of the 30 choral anthems published by Matthews over
his long career, ranging from meditative a capella pieces like "I Will
Lift Up Mine Eyes" and "Souls of the Righteous" to the
jubilant trumpets and voices of "The Day of Resurrection."
The disc also features five organ improvisations by Matthews. Three
are performed by Jon Olin Roberts, who studied under Matthews and
transcribed many of his improvisations. Two others, improvisations on
the hymn tunes "Nassau" and "Picardy," were digitally
restored by Frank Leech, producer of the CD, from a vinyl LP recorded by
Matthews in the 1960s.
The disc was recorded at Trinity
Episcopal Church in 2001 and 2002. Mary Matthews, the composer's widow,
sang with the Chorale for this project. The Chorale is grateful to
Mrs. Matthews and to the Fred Bock Music
Companies for permission to perform these selections.
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