All this held back the composing career he is known for today. He did write but not a lot. A mass, a [[piano]] [[concerto]] and various short pieces. His first real success was the [[oratorio]] ''“Hymnus Paradisi”'' in 1950.
He is best known for the music written for the [[Anglican]] church – [[anthem]]s, liturgical music for the Anglican “Service” and his [[motet]]s (a form that had been largely neglected since the early eighteenth century.) He composed a [[stabat mater]] that is in turns dramatic - to the point of being operatic - and almost contemplative; as well as a well known [[Requiem]]. His anthems are known around the English speaking world and are not restricted to Anglican churches. One is particularly well known: his setting of [[Psalm]] 42, ''“Like as the hart desireth the waterbrooks”''. For all this, he rejected the Christian faith.
His music is well known in America. He was commissioned to write for the Memorial Service for [[John F. Kennedy]]. The motet, ''“Take him earth, for cherishing”'', a setting of a translation by Helen Waddell of ''“Hymnus circa exsequias defunct”'' by the fourth century Christian [[poet]], Aurelius Prudentius Clemens was performed as part of the Service in Washington Cathedral, the year after Kennedy’s death.