In Hawarden Church, North Wales, close to the castle which was his home, there is a memorial to the 19
th century Prime Minister W.E.Gladstone. It contains his translation into Latin of the hymn ‘Rock of ages’. The story is that Gladstone worked on this during a debate in the House of Commons. The idea of making a musical setting came to Martin Bussey as he stood reading the text in the church, realising only later that the day had been the anniversary of Gladstone’s death. The melody catches the imagination of both singers and listeners and is presented in an easily accessible choral arrangement with keyboard accompaniment, either piano or organ.
The piece has been recorded by Sonoro, directed by Neil Ferris and can be accessed via YouTube or Spotify.
You can see the memorial and translation in this clip recorded in Hawarden Church by Chester Bach Singers directed by Martin Bussey.
- ISMN: 9790570683222 (M570683222)