Master Denis Barthel (boy soprano) sings Jerusalem ~1931.wmv

From The Better Land series. Denis became a pupil at Burdett Coates' school, and commenced his career as a chorister at St. Stephen's Church, Westminster, under its organist and choirmaster Dr. William Bunney. When Denis was eleven, he was taken by Dr. Bunney to the Temple Church, Fleet Street for an audition by Dr. George Thalben-Ball. 'The Doctor' was quick to act on Bunney's introduction and Denis became probationer chorister at Temple in November 1927, the same year in which Ernest Lough made his famous recording of O for the Wings of a Dove. Denis became principal soloist and Head Boy in 1932, and recorded some of the most remarkable records ever to come out of Temple. He left the choir in July 1933. Major Denis Barthel M.B.E. died in Vancouver B.C. on 13th September 2008, aged 92. He was the last surviving member of the Temple Church Choir which, with Ernest Lough as soloist, recorded the world-famous "Hear my Prayer" by Mendelssohn.