Almighty God, whose praise this day

Thomas Tomkins’s powerful anthem Almighty God, whose praise this day opens with a fervent plea for divine strength. The SATTBB choir is employed to moving effect, the complex vocal lines weaving together to create a rich and resonant soundscape. The text, a profound meditation on steadfast faith and the sacrifice of the innocent, is set with compelling directness. Tomkins’s skill in crafting devotional music is evident in the way the musical lines rise and fall, mirroring the spiritual journey from supplication to confession. The composer’s mature style is here, harmonically adventurous yet always serving the solemnity of the English text.