Richard L. Hess - St. Thomas Church New York City Discography - Albums Released 1983–1997

All of this information comes from recordings in my posession unless noted otherwise.

Searching on "Hancock" as conductor or artist will find at least some of these recordings in the online record stores. Five or six showed up in CDNow in May, 1998.

Festive Music from Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue - 1984 - Stereo LP released by the Church - No longer available

The Reverend John Andrew, D.D., Rector, St. Thomas Church; Gordon H. Clem, Headmaster, St. Thomas Choir School; Gerre Hancock, F.A.G.O., Organist and Master of the Choristers; Judith Hancock, Associate Organist. Produced by Miner Raymond, III. Recorded by Bill Dale Halverson, at St. Thomas Church, New York, New York. Photogaphy by C. Harrison Conroy. Album Design, Thomas Dusterberg. Organ by G.F. Adams, New York, New York, Curator: Lawrence Trupiano, Brooklyn, New York.

Hail Gladdening Light (Charles Wood 1866-1926)
Three Songs of Isaiah (Richard Dirksen 1982)
- Surely, It Is God
- Seek The Lord
- Arise, Shine
Evening Hymn (H. Balfour Gardiner 1877-1950)
Draw Us In The Spirit's Tether (Harold W. Friedell 1905-1958)
Bring Us, O Lord God (William H. Harris 1883-1973)
Deep River (Arranged by Gerre Hancock 1980)
Ezekiel Saw De Wheel (Arranged by William L. Dawson 1942)

Easter Morning . . . At Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue - 7 April 1985 - Stereo LP and Cassette released by the Church - LP no longer available, Cassette available as of 1997

The Reverend John Andrew, D.D., Rector, St. Thomas Church; Gordon H. Clem, Headmaster, St. Thomas Choir School; Gerre Hancock, F.A.G.O., Organist and Master of the Choristers; Judith Hancock, Associate Organist. Produced by Miner Raymond, III. Recorded by William Vannice, at St. Thomas Church, New York, New York. Photogaphy by Gregory Thorpe. Album Design, Doug Wingo. Organ by G.F. Adams, New York, New York, Curator: Lawrence Trupiano, Brooklyn, New York. Scott McIntosh and Peter Margulies, trumpets; George Flynn, trombone; Kait Mahoney, french horn; Sue Evans, timpany.

This is the last recording issued on LP from St. Thomas Church

A Note From The Rector

We had no idea, as Easter dawned, that we might have a record for you of what was to happen at eleven that morning. The place was crammed, with many hundreds having to sit on the floors of this great church. There was an expectancy in the air and it was a sudden decision of mine to request that the Eucharist of Easter be taped. People who were in church will attest that somehow the liturgy and the music took wings. Mysteriously, this atmosphere is conveyed in what you will hear, with the traffic sounds and the sort of people-noise which a great congregation produces in even its quiet moments. The only thing that I have asked to be done to the recording is to shorten the sermon. Nobody will grumble at that. The Resurrection joy was palpable here in this lovely church on Easter morning and we want to share it with you.

Hymn: Easter Hymn Jesus Christ is risen today
Kyrie Eleison (Ordinary by Gerre Hancock - Missa resurrectionis)
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
The Salutation and Collect of the Day
The Epistle
At the Gradual, Hymn, St. Magnus The head that once was crowned with thorns
The Holy Gospel
Hymn, St. Magnus
Sermon, The Rector
Hymn, J. Noyon Christus vincit
At the Offertory, Anthem Edward C. Bairstow Sing ye to the Lord
Offertory Humn: Victory The strife is o'er, the battle done
The Great Thanksgiving
The Sursum Corda
The Proper Preface of Easter
Sanctus and Benedictus
Agnus Dei
At the Communion, Motet: Adrian Batten When the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion
Hymn: Ellacomb The day of resurrection!

Christmas at St. Thomas New York - 1988 - Stradivari SCD 8006 (CD and Cassette) - Available from the Church as of 1997

The Reverend John Andrew, D.D., Rector, St. Thomas Church; The Reverend Gary P. Fertig, M.Div., Vicar; Gordon H. Clem, Headmaster, St. Thomas Choir School; Gerre Hancock, F.A.G.O., Organist and Master of the Choristers; Judith Hancock, Associate Organist. The Arents Memorial Organ, Gilbert F. Adams, Organ Builder, New York City; Lawrence Trupiano, Curator; Mann and Trupiano, Brooklyn, New York. Executive Producer: Michael Fine; Produced by Laura Harth Rodriguez; Recording Engineer: Frank J. Rodriguez.

The Salutation Carol (Alan Gibbs, b. 1932)
Joys Seven (Traditional English Carol arr. by Stephen Cleobury, b. 1948)
O Come All Ye Faithful (Traditional English arr. by David Willcocks, b. 1919)
I Saw Three Ships (Traditional English Carol arr. by David Willcocks, b. 1919)
Il Est Né, Le Divin Enfant (Traditional French Carol, arr. by John Rutter, b. 1945)
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (Traditional English)
Sussex Carol (Traditional English Carol arr. by David Willcocks, b. 1919)
God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen (Traditional English Carol arr. by David Willcocks, b. 1919)
Benedicamus Domino (Peter Warlock, 1894-1930)
Adam Lay Ybounden (Peter Warlock, 1894-1930)
Bethlehem Down (Peter Warlock, 1894-1930)
Ding Dong! Merrily On High (Traditional French Carol arr. by David Willcocks, b. 1919)
Sir Christèmas (William Mathias, b. 1934)
See Amid the Winter's Snow (John Goss, 1800-1880, arr. by David Willcocks, b. 1919)
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day (Traditional English Carol arr. by David Willcocks, b. 1919)
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (Traditional Polish Carol arr. by Gerre Hancock, b. 1934)
Go Tell It On The Mountain (Afro-American Spiritual arr. by John W. Work, b. 1901)
Silent Night (Franz Gruber, 1787-1863, arr. by Gerre Hancock, b 1934)
Toccata en su mineur (Dix Pièces) Eugène Gigout (1844-1925)
Prélude et Fugue en mi bémol (Op. 99) Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

Rejoice In The Lamb Choral Music of Benjamin Britten - 1990 - Koch International Classics 3-7030-2H1 (CD and Cassette) - Available from the Church as of 1997 Available from Gothic Records

The Reverend John Andrew, D.D., Rector, St. Thomas Church; The Reverend Gary P. Fertig, M.Div., Vicar; Gordon H. Clem, Headmaster, St. Thomas Choir School; Gerre Hancock, F.A.G.O., Organist and Master of the Choristers; Michael Kleinschmidt, Assistant Organist. The Arents Memorial Organ, Gilbert F. Adams, Organ Builder, New York City; Lawrence Trupiano, Curator; Mann and Trupiano, Brooklyn, New York. Producer and Engineer, Michael Fine; William Vannice, audio design consultant.

Te Deum in C Major
A Hymn of St. Columba
Jubilate Deo in C
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27 (W.H. Auden)
Prelude and Fugue on a Theme of Vittoria (1946)
Hymn to St. Peter
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30 (Christopher Smart)

Fanfare - Gerre Hancock, Organist - 1990 - Gothic Records G49038 (CD) - Available from the Church as of 1997 Available from Gothic Records

The Reverend John Andrew, D.D., Rector, St. Thomas Church.

For this recording it was noted that the organ consists of 131 stops, 115 ranks, and 8.916 pipes.

Improvisation - Fanfare
Fantasie in G Major, S.572 - J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Hymne d'Orgue: "Veni Creator" - Nicolas de Grigny (1671-1703)
- Veni Creator, en taille à 5
- Fugue à 5
- Duo
- Récit de Cromorne
- Dialogue sur les Grands Jeux
Improvisation - Hymn Tune "St. Clement" (The day thou gavest)
Improvisation in Free Form
Improvisation - Hymn Tune "St. Denio" (Imortal, Invisible)
Fantasie und Fugue über den Namen B-A-C-H, Op. 46 - Max Reger (1873-1916)

Praise The Lord - 1990 - Argo 425 800-2 - Out of print

As of 2007-08 this is available from Arkiv Music in their CD-on-demand catalog. Click here.

Music from St Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York. Choir of St Thomas Church, Gerre Hancock, director, organ*, Judith Hancock, organ

Fanfare I* (Gerre Hancock)
Praise the Lord, O my soul (Ned Rorem)
Sing my soul, His wondrous love (Ned Rorem)
Three Motets (Ned Rorem)
- O Deus, ego amo te
- Oratio Patris Condren
- Thee, God ...
Draw us n the Spirit's tether (Harold Friedell)
Fanfare II* (Gerre Hancock)
Great Day (Traditional, arr. Warren Martin)
Magnificat (Leo Sowerby)
Nunc dimittis (Leo Sowerby)
Te Deum laudamus (Herbert Howells)
Magnificat (Conrad Susa)
Nunc dimittis (Conrad Susa)
Improvisation sur le "Te Deum" (Charles Tournemire)

Anthem The Choral Music of Edward Bairstow - 1991 - Koch International Classics 3-7093-2H1 (CD) - Available from the Church as of 1997 Available from Gothic Records

The Reverend John Andrew, D.D., Rector, St. Thomas Church; Gerre Hancock, Master of the Choristers; Michael Kleinschmidt, Organist. Producer and Engineer, Michael Fine; William Vannice, audio design consultant.

Music of Edward Cuthbert Bairstow (1874-1946)

Anthems
- Blessed city, heavenly Salem
- Jesu, the very thought of thee
- Let my prayer come uo
- I will wash my hands in innocency
- I sat down under his shadow
- Lord, thou hast been our refuge
- Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Communion Service in D
- Sanctus
- Benedictus
- Gloria in excelsis Deo
Evening Service in D
- Magnificat
- Nunc dimittis
Anthem
- Somg ye to the Lord
Organ Solo
- Rhapsody in C-sharp minor, Op/ 17, No. 3 by Herbert Howells (Dedicated to Edward C. Bairstow)

O God, My Heart Is Ready - 1992 - Koch International Classics 3-7176-2H1 (CD and Cassette) - Available from the Church as of 1997 Available from Gothic Records

The Reverend John Andrew, D.D., Rector, St. Thomas Church; Gerre Hancock, Master of the Choristers; Michael Kleinschmidt, Organist. Producer and Engineer, Michael Fine.

This is perhaps the most accessible showcase for the choir and organ. It, along with the author's LP Silent Night at St. Thomas are the two best introductory recordings in the author's opinion.

Psalm 24: The earth is the Lord's (Barnby)
Psalm 121: I will lift up mine eyes (Bairstow)
Hymn: Lo, he comes (Helmsley)
Psalm 96: O sing unto the Lord (Thalben-Ball)
Psalm 8: O Lord, our Governor (Plainsong, Verses in Fauxbourdon by Hancock)
Hymn: Joy to the World (Antioch)
Psalm 84: O how amiable are thy dwellings (Parry)
Psalm 48: Great is the Lord (Turle)
Psalm 108: O God, my heart is ready (Atkins)
Hymn: We sing of God (Magdalen College)
Psalms 133: Behold how good and pleasant and 134: Behold now, bless the Lord (Andrew and Hancock)
Psalm 22: 1-11 My God, My God, look upon me (Wesley)
Psalm 114: When Israel came out of Egypt (from Tonus Peregrinus)
Hymn: Jesus lives! (St. Albunus)
Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd (Goss)
Psalm 136: O give thanks unto the Lord (Lloyd)
Psalm 47: O clap your hands (Noble)
Hymn: The head that once was crowned
Hymn: Come, labor on (Boble)
Psalm 150: O praise God in his holiness (Talbot)

Most Sacred Banquet - 1993 - Koch International Classics 3-7228-2H1 (CD) - Available from the Church as of 1997 Available from Gothic Records

The Reverend John Andrew, D.D., Rector, St. Thomas Church; Gerre Hancock, Master of the Choristers. Producer and Engineer, Michael Fine.

Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) Exultate Deo
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) O sacrum convivium
César Franck (1822-1890) Psalm 150, Judith Hancock, organ
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) Quartre Motets on Gregorian Themes, Op. 10
- Ubi caritas
- Tota pulchra es
- Tu es Petrus
- Tantum ergo
Charles Tournemire (1870-1939) Cinq Improvisations for Organ
- Petite rapsodie improvisée, Judith Hancock, organ
Jean Langlais (1907-1991) Messe Solennelle, Judith Hancock, organ
- Kyrie
- Gloria
- Sanctus
- Benedictus
- Agnus Dei
Organ Improvisation by Dr. Gerre Hancock

Evensong at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue - 1995 - Koch International Classics 3-7285-2H1 (CD) - Available from the Church as of 1996 Available from Gothic Records

The Reverend John Andrew, D.D., Rector, St. Thomas Church; Gerre Hancock, Master of the Choristers. Producer and Engineer, Michael Fine.

Introit "The Lord is in His Holy Temple" (music by Gerre Hancock)
Improvisation by Gerre Hancock
Preces - Rector and the Choir (music by Gerre Hancock)
Psalm 133 - Ecce, quam bonum! (music by Gerre Hancock and John Andrew)
Psalm 134 - Ecce nunc (music by Gerre Hancock and John Andrew)
First Lesson (Isaiah 35) (read by the Rector)
Hymn - We sing of God (Magdalen College) (text by Christopher Smart, music by William Hayes)
Magnificat - The Evening Service in A minor (music by T. Tertius Noble; descant by Peter Stoltzfus)
Second Lesson (John 17:13-23) (read by the Rector)
Nunc dimittis - The Evening Service in A minor (music by T. Tertius Noble)
The Apostles Creed
Responses - Rector and the Choir
Anthem - O God, my heart is ready (text from Psalm 108, music by Ned Rorem)
Prayers
Blessing
Hymn - Abide with me (Eventide) (text by Henry Francis Lyte; music by William Henry Monk; descant by Gerre Hancock)
Anthem - Judge Eternal (text by Henry Scott Holland; music by Gerre Hancock)
Anthem - Christ, Whose Glory (text by Charles Wesley; music by T. Frederick H. Candlyn)
Organ Voluntary - Magnificat (Organbook II) (music by Ned Rorem) Peter Stoltzfus, organist

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis - 1997 - Priory Records PRCD600 - Available from the Church as of 1997

Dr. Gerre Hancock, Organist and Master of Choristers; Dr. Patrick Allen, Associate Organist (Recorded October 15-17, 1996)

Magnificat in F (Harold Friedell)
Nunc Dimittis in F (Harold Friedell)
Magnificat (St. Thomas Service - Conrad Susa)
Nunc Dimittis (St. Thomas Service - Conrad Susa)
Magnificat in e minor (M. Searle Wright)
Nunc Dimittis in e minor (M. Searle Wright)
Magnificat Tone IV (Jean Titelouze)
Magnificat in D (Leo Sowerby)
Nunc Dimittis in D (Leo Sowerby)
Magnificat (St. Thomas Service - Gunther Schuller)
Nunc Dimittis (St. Thomas Service - Gunther Schuller)
Magnificat in C (J. H. Ossewaarde)
Nunc Dimittis in C (J. H. Ossewaarde)

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You can e-mail Richard at richard@richardhess.com