His most important compositions were for voices; his composition The Angelus, won the Ricordi prize for an English opera. His church music blends elements of 16th to 20th century music. Naylor was considered an authority on Shakespeare and music, and was an early exponent of greater musical authenticity.
His son, Bernard James Naylor (1907–1986) was the first composer (1948) living in Canada to employ post-tonal writing in choral music, and was one of the pioneers of a truly contemporary (post-tonal) English (Anglican) cathedral music in the mid-twentieth century.[2]
The Angelus – "A romantic opera in a Prologue and four Acts", performed at Covent Garden in 1909, revived by the Carl Rosa Opera Company in 1921. Libretto by Wilfrid Thornely. Received a £500 prize "offered by Messrs. Ricordi & Co. for an original opera from the pen of a British-born composer".[3]
Church music
A Hymn In Praise Of The Faith
Eastern Monarchs – motet.
I Will Cause The Shower – anthem for choir and organ.
Jubilate Deo in A – for choir and organ.
Jubilate Deo in A-flat – for male voices (TTBB) and organ.
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis – for double choir, written in 1903.
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis – for male voices (TTBB).
Postlude in E-flat Major – for organ.
Hear my prayer, O God (Psalm 55) – for choir and organ.
God Of Our Fathers, Known Of Old – recessional hymn, setting the text of Rudyard Kipling.
O Jerusalem, Look About Thee – anthem for choir and organ.
O Lord God to whom vengeance belongeth (Psalm 94) – for choir and organ.