Composed for the enthronement of Dr Cosmo Lang as the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1928, much of this striking setting is permeated by emphatically forward-moving crotchets. Tonal exploration adds to this sense of momentum, as does the building of the texture in the opening passage from powerful choral unison to resplendent imitation between SATB Decani and Cantoris voices. Unusually, the piece does not continue to build in intensity throughout but instead gradually takes on a more reflective character, with a soft pianissimo chord bringing it to a restful close.
Instrumental parts are available on hire.