However, his former pupil and biographer Paul Spicer contends that Howells first showed the music to Herbert Sumsion, organist of Gloucester Cathedral, who in turn showed it to Gerald Finzi, and that only after these two expressed their enthusiasm did Howells show the music to Vaughan Williams. The title 'Hymnus Paradisi' was suggested by Sumsion.
On the other hand, Paul Spicer, Howells' former pupil and biographer, suggests that the composer first shared his work with Herbert Sumsion, Gloucester Cathedral's organist, who then passed it along to Gerald Finzi. It wasn't until both of these prominent figures gave their seal of approval that Howells presented the music to Vaughan Williams. The title 'Hymnus Paradisi' was suggested by Sumsion.