The Tablet has recorded a CD of the Top 20 hymns voted for by its readers.
The top hymn, chosen by readers of the international Catholic weekly, is 'Here I am, Lord' (popularly known by its first line 'I, the Lord of Sea and Sky') by American composer, Daniel Schutte, (Dan Schutte). The Irish 'Be Thou My Vision', which is based on an 8th Century poem, and 'How Great Thou Art' are the next two in the Top 20.
Recorded in July 2005 at St Alban the Martyr Church in Holborn, the CD features the award-winning Exmoor Singers of London, as well as the Polish soloist Renata Jonscher, who sings two additional hymns, known to be favourites of the late John Paul II.
Readers were initially invited to send in their nominations. This was followed by a series of articles in The Tablet, in which writers chose their favourite. They included broadcaster Edward Stourton, who chose 'Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence'; Conservative MP Ann Widdecome, whose favourite is 'How Great Thou Art'; hymn composer Bernadette Farrell, whose favourite is 'Be Thou My Vision'; Church of England General Synod member, Christina Rees, whose favourite is 'Now the Green Blade Riseth'; editor of the Catholic hymn book Laudate, Stephen Dean, whose favourite is 'Praise to the Holiest'; and Premier Radio presenter, Cindy Kent, whose favourite is 'Immortal, Invisible'.
The Exmoor Singers of London are one of the UK's top amateur mixed-voice choirs. They regularly perform at festivals and concerts throughout the UK and abroad, and have previously won the North Wales Choral Festival (2003), Sligo International Choral Festival (2001) and Sainsbury's Mixed Voice Choir of the Year (1998). James Jarvis, musical director of the choir, says:
"Our approach to recording the hymns has been to present the full, uncut texts of all the hymns in an essentially congregational style. In choosing their best-loved hymns, people have demonstrably chosen fine settings of powerful words; but, above all, it is obvious that they have voted for the hymns they love to sing."
Renata Jonscher is a professional mezzo-soprano who was born and trained in Cieszyn, Poland. She now works internationally on a wide range of music from classical and folk to religious songs. In 1998 she received the Silver Medal of the Republic of Poland for contribution to musical culture. In 2000 she presented her latest CD personally to Pope John Paul II. On 'My Kind of Hymn', she sings two of the late Pope's favourite hymns, in Polish. Renata says of the hymn 'Black Madonna':
"Seeing the painting known as the Black Madonna in the Polish shrine of Czestochow was a turning pointed in the childhood of Karol Wojtyla. His mother had just died, and his father took him to the shrine; the painting and the setting overwhelmed him, and to that moment he traced his lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary."
The CD contains a booklet with the words of all the hymns, plus comments from some of the writers who chose them.
To see the full track listing of 23 hymns, and hear clips from the CD please go to www.thetablet.co.uk/mykindofhymn. Copies are available for sale at GBP9.95 direct from The Tablet website and from selected bookshops. For every copy sold, we will donate GBP1 to Cafod, in support of Make Poverty History.
The Top 10 - in order of popularity
1. Here I am Lord (I, the Lord of Sea and Sky)
By Daniel L. Schutte
2. Be Thou My Vision
By Irish (c. eighth century) translated by Mary Byrne
3. How Great Thou Art
By Carl Boberg, arranged by Stuart K. Hine
4. Be Still, for the Presence of the Lord
By David J. Evans
5. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Liturgy of St James, translated by G. Moultrie
6. Amazing Grace
By John Newton
7. Soul of My Saviour
Ascribed to Pope John XXII
8. My Song is Love Unknown
By Samuel Crossman
9. Christ Be Our Light
By Bernadette Farrell
10. Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
By John Greenleaf Whittier
