Richard L. Hess - St. Thomas Church New York City Discography - Appearances on other artists' albums

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

The Essential Leontyne Price: Spirituals, Hymns, and Sacred Songs - 1997 - RCA Victor Red Seal BMG Classics 09026-68157-2 2CD set - In Print May 2001

This 2-CD set contains over two hours of music, 42 tracks in all. 12 of these tracks are of interest to this discography. The following tracks were recorded on April 4-7, 1966 in St. Thomas Episcopal Church. William Self, Master of the Choir, George Decker, Organ

Holy, Holy Holy
Lead, Kindly Light
Blessed Assuarnce
Ave Maria (Schubert)
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Amazing Grace
The Lord's Prayer (Malotte)
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour
The Church's One Foundation
Bless This House
I Need Thee Every Hour
Fairest Lord Jesus

The 30 other tracks are also stunning. The above tracks appear on Disk Two. There is a beautiful 1982 recording of The Battle Hymn of the Republic with the National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ambrosian Singers. Other gems include Summertime from Porgy and Bess and another version of Ave Marie with Arthur Fiedler and his Orchestra. Spirituals are represented by Deep River and A Balm in Gilead. This is a must have CD for your collection.

Christmas in New York - 1968 - RCA PRM-270 (Mono LP) PRS-270 (Stereo LP) - Believed to be out of print
Christmas in California - 1968 - RCA PRS-276 (Stereo LP) - Believed to be out of print

These two recordings are identical. I purchased the first (in stereo) when it was released by a major New York Bank. It is marked "Special Collectors Edition." I purchased the second at a garage sale in California in the early '90's. It was released by Bank of America and features abbreviated back cover notes and an Ansel Adams photograph of Yosemite in the snow on the front. These are both of interest because of one cut.

Ave Maria (Schubert) - Leontyne Price / Choir of Men and Boys of St. Thomas Episcopal Church

This was taken from the now reissued 1966 recordings.

Appearances on Judy Collins's Albums

For detailed information on Judy Collins, please see my web site for her. These albums are all listed on this page.

Fires of Eden - 1990 Oct 11 - Columbia 7464 46102 2 (CD) - in print as of 1997
- City of Cities (St. Thomas Choir) - 3:36 (Collins, Judy/David Bushin/Robin Batteau)
Come Rejoice! A Judy Collins Christmas - 1994 Sep 19 - Mesa/Bluemoon 8122 79085 2 (CD) - in print as of 1997
- Joy To The World (St. Thomas Choir) - 2:32 (Trad., Arr Judy Collins)
- Song For Sarajevo (St. Thomas Choir) - 4:44 (Collins, Judy)
- Come Rejoice (St. Thomas Choir) - 3:32 (Collins, Judy)
- Silent Night (St. Thomas Choir) - 4:05 (Trad., Arr Judy Collins)
Shameless - 1995 Jul 18 - Mesa/Bluemoon 7567 92584 2 (CD) - in print as of 1997
- Song For Sarajevo (St. Thomas Choir) - 4:46 (Collins, Judy/Words by J. Collins and the children of Sarajevo/Choir Arr Joseph Joubert.)

Working Girl Original Soundtrack Album - 1989 - Arista ARCD-8593 CD - in print as of 1997

Let The River Run - 3:01 (Simon, Carly vocal parts arr. Rob Mounsey, Conducted by Jerre [sic] Hancock)

Although this cut appears on the Original Soundtrack Album, it is my understanding that the choir did not perform in the film. Other songs on this are Lady In Red, Carlotta's Heart, Looking Through Katherine's House, and I'm So Excited.There are also several instrumentals including a Sonny Rollins version of Poor Butterfly.

Jessye Norman - In The Spirit, Sacred Music for Christmas - 1996 Philips 454 640-2 - in print as of January 1998

Jessye Norman, soprano; American Boychoir, James Litton, Music Director; St Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, Dr Gerre Hancock, Organist and Master of Choristers; Riverside Choir, Timothy Smith, Director of Music and Organist; St Barnabas Choir, J. Michael Roush, Director; Orchestra of St Luke's; Sarah Cutler, harp; Harry Huff; Organ; Dan Saunders, Musical Assistant; David Robertson, Conductor; Most arrangements by Bruce Saylor. Recorded at St Barnabas Church, Greenwich, CT and Riverside Church, New York City; June-July 1996.

Cuts with the men of the St. Thomas Choir
- Angels, from the Realms of Glory
- The First Nowell
- Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
- Puer Natus in Bethlehem
- Noël Nouvelet
- Balm in Gilead
- O come, All Ye Faithful
Cuts with the boys of the St. Thomas Choir
- O Come, Little Children
- A Christmas Garland
  - Ding! Dong! Merrily on High
  - Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
  - Deck the Halls
- Silent Night

Note that other choirs may also be included on the above cuts.

I'm sure this is not complete. Please e-mail me with any additions, corrections, etc. Thank you!

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