Hubert Parry, best known for his iconic anthem Jerusalem, composed 'De Profundis' (From the Depths) in 1891 as a deeply spiritual and stirring choral work. The piece is a setting of Psalm 130 and explores themes of despair, longing, and redemption with profound emotional depth.
After its debut at the Three Choirs Festival in Hereford shortly after its composition, 'De Profundis' largely faded from the public eye, despite its remarkable beauty. Renowned composer Ralph Vaughan Williams even described the piece as Parry’s "finest work" in a letter to Sir Adrian Boult. However, due to its complex 12-part choir arrangement, 'De Profundis' was rarely performed again and remains largely unknown to modern audiences.
The piece was revived in 2022 by David Temple MBE conducting Hertfordshire Chorus, London Orchestra da Camera, and soloist Sarah Fox in a well-received performance at St Albans Cathedral - the first in over 60 years. As David put it "quite often works are neglected because they are simply not very good. 'De Profundis' is a breathtakingly beautiful work and deserves to be up there with works like 'The Dream of Gerontius'."
On the back of this successful performance, we are delighted to give 'De Profundis' the attention it deserves for a wider audience with its first-ever recording. This landmark project will bring Parry’s masterpiece to life, shedding new light on this hidden gem. Through this recording, we aim to honour Parry’s legacy while introducing the work in a way that has never been done before
With your support, we can make this dream a reality
As a leading symphonic choir, our goal is to raise the funds necessary to produce a professional, high-quality recording of 'De Profundis' capturing the beauty and depth of Parry’s music for generations to come. The money raised will cover the costs of venue hire, soprano soloist, a professional orchestra, organist and organ, under the musical direction of David Temple. Your contribution will help bring this iconic piece to life and share it with the world for the very first time.
The piece will be coupled with Edward Elgar's warm and spirited 'From The Bavarian Highlands'
Join us on this musical journey and be a part of history. Your support means everything to us – and to music lovers everywhere