A younger contemporary of Handel, Boyce is chiefly known today for his 'symphonies', but in his own time he was mainly concerned with the composition of vocal music. Five of the works recorded here are verse anthems belonging to the tradition of the Restoration composers in the previous century. Three others - Wherewithal shall a young man, Turn thee unto me and By the waters of Babylon - are 'full' anthems consisting of outer choral movements framing sections for a smaller ensemble. In addition to the anthems, three organ voluntaries from Boyce's Ten Voluntaries for Organ and Harpsichord are included. 

WILLIAM BOYCE 
1     O where shall wisdom be found?
       Nicholas Witcomb, Jerome Finnis - treble; Stephen Taylor - alto; Dan Norman - tenor;   Michael Morton - bass

2     Wherewithal shall a young man 
       Nicholas Witcomb, Jerome Finnis - treble; Stephen Taylor - alto; Mark Milhofer - tenor; Timothy West - bass

3     I have surely built thee an house 
      Stephen Taylor - alto; Toby Spence - tenor; Richard Lea - bass

4     Voluntary IV 
       Gary Cooper - organ

5     O praise the Lord 
       Nicholas Witcomb - treble; Fergus McLusky - alto; Toby Spence - tenor; Richard Lea, Timothy West - bass

6     Turn thee unto me O Lord 
       Philip Hallchurch, Jerome Finnis - treble

7     O give thanks 
       Jerome Finnis - treble; William Missin - alto; Mark Milhofer - tenor; Timothy West - bass

8     Voluntary I 
       Gary Cooper organ

9     By the waters of Babylon 
       Philip Hallchurch, Oliver Wright - treble; Mark Milhofer, Mark Anderson - tenor; Timothy West - bass

10   The Lord is King 
       Fergus McLusky - alto; Mark Milhofer - tenor; Michael Morton - bass

11   Voluntary VII 
      Gary Cooper - organ

Total Playing time: 72'36"/66'09"   DDD
Recorded in New College Chapel, Oxford, 14-16 April 1991
Released 1992
CRD 3483
Also available on CRD 5009 (5CD box set)

"The choir of New College, Oxford is on characteristically strong form; indeed, I found the well-balanced vocal strands, the clear textures, sure intonation and upper-strand brilliance even more beguiling than usual. The verse anthem I have surely built thee an house comes over splendidly, affording an example of this choir at its most impressive. Higginbottom brings an effective lucidity to the solo vocal ensemble while suffusing the whole with a soft radiance."

The Gramophone