1990s: Working List of Classical & Choral Christmas Recordings

1990s: Working List of Classical & Choral Christmas Recordings

Compiled by R. Rojas

Updated Jan. 10, 2026

The descriptions below, are those of record labels or the respective ensembles, and are not reviews by the Christmas Carols Blog. Some have been altered for better web viewing. Don't fret, we left the King's English intact. Links to the ensemble or record label have been included to make purchasing easier. If we missed your new recording, email us at: christmascarolblog@gmail.com.

1990

1 O Come All Ye Faithful

2 Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen

3 Ding Dong, Merrily On High

4 Away In A Manger

5 Veni, Veni Emmanuel

6 Quem Pastores Laudavere

7 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

8 The Shepherd's Pipe Carol

9 Coventry Carol

10 In Dulci Jubilo

11 The First Nowell

12 Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht

13 Gabriel's Message

14 Joy To the World

15 'Le Quattro Stagioni', Op.8,4: Winter: Allegro Non Molto

16 'Le Quattro Stagioni', Op.8,4: Winter: Largo

17 'Le Quattro Stagioni', Op.8,4: Winter: Allegro

18 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

19 Festive Cheer: Sleigh Ride/Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas/Jingle Bells...

1991

Includes "Joy to the World, Jingle Bells, Symphony form the Fairy Queen Act IV, Sing We Joyous Altogether, Air on a G String, Rondeau (Masterpiece Theater Theme), Medley, Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming, O Come All Ye Faithful, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Psalm 8 From Psalms of David, Sonata 20, Furchet Euch Nicht

Label: Proacrte

Chandos

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%208973

Bringing together the huge forces of the BBC Welsh Chorus and Fanfare Trumpeters of the Welsh Guards, this disc combines traditional and contemporary carols with seasonal readings.

1 O Come, All Ye Faithful - Oakeley, Frederick

2 Mary Had a Baby - Traditional, Christ

3 Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913 - Bridges, Robert

4 Jesus Christ the Apple Tree - Poston, Elizabeth

5 Act 1. Scene 1. Marcello's Speech

6 Christmas Night (French Melody) - Traditional, Christ

7 The First Nowell - Sandys, William

8 [Excerpt]

9 Bell Carol - Mathias, William

10 Fendigaid Nos (The Wondrous Night) - Hoddinott, Alun

11 Here Is the Little Door - Howells, Herbert

12 The Oxen - Hardy, Thomas

13 Once in Royal David's City - Traditional, Christ

14 De Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy - Traditional, Christ

15 Tua Bethlem Dref - Arthur, Edward

16 Carol (Amlyn AC Amig) - Lewis, Saunders

17 Tawel Nos - Lewis, Geraint

18 O Little Town of Bethlehem - Brooks, Phillip

19 Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day - Traditional

20 Sweet Was the Song - Mathias, William

21 [Extract]

22 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Traditional, Christ

23 Still, Still, Still) German Melody) - Traditional, Christ

24 Ar Fore Dydd Nadolig (On Christmas Morning) (Traditional Welsh) - Traditional, Christ

25 Christmas Landscape - Lee, Laurie

26 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing - Mendelssohn, Felix

Label: Nimbus Records

1992

A beautifully curated collection of Christmas choral music, featuring historical carols and festive harmonies. The crystalline vocal performances by His Majestie’s Clerkes evoke a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and seasonal serenity.

Label: Centuar

Disc one tracks are: 

1. O Come All Ye Faithful, 

2. Angel Tidings, 

3. Once in rotyal David's City, 

4. Star Carol, 

5. Regina Coeli, 

6. The Snow, 

7. Mary Speaks, 

8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, 

9. Lullaby, 

10. This Christmastide, 

11. Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op.6, No. 8, 

12. E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come, 

13. Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden, 

14. Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn, 

15. Nigra Sum, 

16. Go Tell It On The Mountain, and 

17. The Lord Bless You And Keep You. 

Disc two tracks are: 

1. Joy To The World, 

2. Gloria in excelsis Deo, 

3. Gabriel's Message, 

4. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, 

5. The Three Kings, 

6. Up! Good Christen Folk, and Listen, 

7. In The Bleak Midwinter, 

8. The holly And The Ivy, 

9. I Sing Of A Maiden, 

10. Candlelight Carol, 

11. Ave Maria, 

12. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, 

13. Away In A Manger, 

14. Puer Natus In Bethlehem, 

15. Ding Dong! Merrily On High, 

16. What Sweeter Music, and 

17. Shepherd's Pipe Carol.

Label: Musical Heritage Society

Gloriae Dei Cantores (Singers to the Glory of God) is a 44-voice choir from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with a vision to promote peace and understanding among peoples of different nations and cultures. Under the direction of Elizabeth C. Patterson, Gloriae Dei Cantores has toured 22 countries in Europe and North America, with a particular mission to Eastern Europe. The choir is equally skilled in sacred choral music of all historical periods and styles and has been critically acclaimed as a master of the Gregorian chant.

1 Sing Noel - Gloriae Dei Cantores

2 My Dancing Day - Gloriae Dei Cantores

3 Flight of Angels - Gloriae Dei Cantores

4 Shepard's Carol

5 Star Carol

6 Carol of the Friendly Beasts

7 Away in a Manger

8 In the Bleak Midwinter

9 Cantique de No

10 Sussex Carol

11 O Little Town of Bethlehem

12 Caroling, Caroling

13 Holly and the Ivy

14 Ding Dong! Merrily on High

15 Masters in This Hall

16 Merry Christmas

17 Chrismas Garland

1 The Twelve Days of Christmas

2 Mary's Little Boy Child

3 Gesu Bambino

4 Exsultate, jubilate, K. 158a: Alleluja

5 The Sound of Music: My Favorite Things

6 Winter Wonderland - Wynton Marsalis

7 We Three Kings of Orient Are - Wynton Marsalis Septet

8 American Songs

9 Medley: The Christmas Song and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

10 Silent Night - Kathleen Battle

11 Joy to the World! - Wynton Marsalis

12 Hänsel und Gretel: Abendsegen "Evening Prayer"

13 Es ist ein Ros entsprungen - Frederica von Stade

14 Maria Wiegenlied, Op. 76, No. 52

15 Christmas Songs

1993

1 I. Prepare The Way: Watchman Of Zion 2 I. Prepare The Way: Kingsbridge 3 I. Prepare The Way: Bozrah 4 I. Prepare The Way: Baptismal Anthem 5 II. A Virgin Unspotted: A Christmas Hymn 6 II. A Virgin Unspotted: A Virgin Most Pure/A Virgin Unspotted 7 II. A Virgin Unspotted: Boston 8 III. Lo, The Bridegroom: The Heavenly Coutier 9 III. Lo, The Bridegroom: Pretty Home 10 III. Lo, The Bridegroom: The Midnight Cry 11 IV. I Wonder As I Wander: Wyafaring Stranger 12 IV. I Wonder As I Wander: Slow Traveller 13 IV. I Wonder As I Wander: I Wonder As I Wander 14 IV. I Wonder As I Wander: Lullay Thou Tiny Little Child 15 V. Shepherds, Rejoice: Lovely Vine 16 V. Shepherds, Rejoice: Adeste Fideless 17 V. Shepherds, Rejoice: Still Water 18 V. Shepherds, Rejoice: While Shpeherds Watched 19 V. Shepherds, Rejoice: Sherburne 20 V. Shepherds, Rejoice: Shepherds Rejoice 21 VI. Light Of The World: Fulfilment 22 VI. Light Of The World: Fulfilment 23 VI. Light Of The World: Hush My Babe, Lie Still & Slumber 24 VI. Light Of The World: Jesus The Light Of The World 25 VI. Light Of The World: Joy To The World Label: Erato

CHRISTMAS IN EARLY AMERICA Eighteenth century church musk in New England The American 'primitive' tradition of church music in the late eighteenth century blossomed from the transplanted customs of contemporary English gallery music. As unison congregational singing gained in popularity in the rural churches of seventeenth and eighteenth century Britain and its American colonies, hands of gallery musicians, both singers and instrumentalists, were eventually formed in the mid 1800's to lead and embellish community performance of psalms, hymns and anthems. This development toward a unique choral tradition in the country churches was spurred by the publication of many new collections of 3 and 4 part harmonizations of the psalnss and other spiritual songs, signaled by the release in 1696 id the New Version of the Psalms by Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady. The introduction of harmony, hence choral singing, in the parish churches of England was underway at the beginning of the eighteenth century, with supporting instruments appearing in the 1740's or 1750's. America's sterner brands of Calvinism withstood the temptations of harmony into the 1720's, causing much controversy among the various denominations.

01. The Harmony of Maine: How Beauteous Are Their Feet 
COMPOSER(s) Supply Belcher

02. The Columbian Repository of Sacred Harmony: How Beauteous Are Their Feet
COMPOSER(s)Samuel Holyoke

03. Masses, Vespers, Litanies, Hymns, Psalms, Anthems and Motetts for the Use of the Catholic Church in the United States: Anthem for Christmas
COMPOSER(s)Benjamin Carr

04. Symphonia Grandaeva Rediviva: If Angels Sung a Savior's Birth
COMPOSER(s)Joseph Stephenson

05. Harmonia americana: The Almighty Spake, and Gabriel Sped 
COMPOSER(s)Samuel Holyoke

06. Harmonia americana: Comfort Ye My People
COMPOSER(s)Samuel Holyoke

07. Episcopalian Harmony: Hark! The Glad Sound
*COMPOSER(s)John Jenkins Husband

08. Episcopalian Harmony: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
COMPOSER(s)Musgrave Heighington

09. Symphonia Grandaeva Rediviva: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
COMPOSER(s)Jacob French

10. The Singing Master's Assistant: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night 6:25
COMPOSER(s)William Billings

11. Unto Us a Child Is Born 3:33
COMPOSER(s)Johann Friedrich Peter

12. Prince of Peace, Immanuel
COMPOSER(s)John Antes

13. Hail Infant Newborn
COMPOSER(s)David Moritz Michael

14. To Us a Child Is Born
COMPOSER(s)Johannes Herbst

15. Thou Child Divine
COMPOSER(s)Johann Abraham Peter Schulz

16. Meine Seele erhebet den Herrn
COMPOSER(s)Jeremiah Dencke

17. Hosanna! Blessed He That Comes in the Name of the Lord 
COMPOSER(s)Christian Gregor

18. Magnificat anima mea Dominum 5:00
COMPOSER(s)Charles Theodore Pachelbel

Label: ‎ Channel Classics

https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/christmas-early-america-18th-century-carols-and-anthems

A Child is Born

Recorded 9-11 July 1993. Released November 1993.

The Choir’s second original anthology on Conifer Classics of music for the festive season, following the 1990 release of > Carols from Trinity, and including a number of harmonisations and descants by Richard Marlow.

In 1995, Conifer Classics re-released ‘A Child is Born’ and ‘Carols from Trinity’ as a 2-CD compilation, confusingly also titled ‘Carols from Trinity’, with the original 1990 album as Disc 1 and A Child is Born as Disc 2.

1994

1 Drop Down Ye Heavens 2 Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending 3 Message of Advent - G. R. Bush - G. R. Bush 4 O Sapientia; O Adonai 5 First Lesson - Head Chorister - Head Chorister 6 Adam Lay Ybounden 7 The Lord at First Did Adam 8 The Word of God - a. A. MacIntosh - A. A. Macintosh 9 O Radix Jesse, O Clavis David 10 Es Ist Das Heil Uns Kommen Her 11 Second Lesson - Reuben Thomas - Reuben Thomas 12 A Spotless Rose - Chor of St. John's Coll, Cambridge/Christopher Robinson/James Martin/William Clements - Chor Of St. John's Coll, Cambridge/Christopher Robinson/James Martin/William Clements 13 There Is No Rose 14 The Ministry of the Church - G. R. Bush - G. R. Bush 15 O Riens; O Rex Gentium 16 Ave Maria 17 The Preparation for the Advent of Christ - a. A. MacIntosh - A. A. Macintosh 18 O Emmanuel 19 A Hymn to the Virgin 20 I Sing of a Maiden 21 Third Lesson - George Guest - George Guest 22 This Have I Done for My True Love 23 Fourth Lesson - Robert Hinde - Robert Hinde 24 Magnificat (The Gloucester Service) 25 The Christimas Sentence and Collect - G. R. Bush - G. R. Bush 26 Benediacum Domino 27 The College Prayer & Grace - a. A. MacIntosh - A. A. Macintosh 28 O Little Town of Bethelhem

Nimbus Records

The Choir of King's College Cambridge is one of the world's most beloved choral groups. Each Christmas Eve millions across the globe tune in to watch the choir's Service of Lessons and Carols. This Christmas reissue includes traditional songs of the Anglican choral tradition alongside German French Dutch Polish and Russian carols of festive cheer and sweet contemplation.1 Once in Royal David's City - Guy Johnston/Choir of King's College, Cambridge - Guy Johnston/Choir of King's College, Cambridge

1 Once in Royal David's City - Guy Johnston/Choir of King's College, Cambridge - Guy Johnston/Choir of King's College, Cambridge
2 Rejoice and Be Merry
3 Ding Dong! Merrily on High
4 What Sweeter Music
5 O Little Town of Bethlehem
6 A Spotless Rose - Alexander Knight/Choir of King's College, Cambridge - Alexander Knight/Choir of King's College, Cambridge
7 Heer Jezus Heeft Een Hofken - David Goode - David Goode
8 King Jesus Hath a Garden - Nicholas Todd/Choir of King's College, Cambridge - Nicholas Todd/Choir of King's College, Cambridge
9 The Lamb
10 Bogoroditse Dyevo
11 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
12 Illuminare, Jerusalem
13 While Shepherds Watched
14 Quittez, Pasteurs
15 In Dulci Jubilo - David Goode - David Goode
16 In Dulci Jubilo
17 The First Nowell
18 Coventry Carol
19 Personent Hodie
20 O Come All Ye Faithful

Brilliant Classics

"Following the success of the Choir’s two Christmas CDs on Conifer Classics, > Carols from Trinity and > A Child is Born, Conifer re-issued both albums as a 2-CD compilation, confusingly also titled ‘Carols from Trinity’, with the original 1990 album as Disc 1 and A Child is Born as Disc 2."

This absolutely essential Christmas collection is actually a combination of two Trinity College Choir recordings originally released separately under the titles "Carols from Trinity" and "A Child Is Born," the latter of which is still offered as a single CD. 

This two-disc set is a great value, both financially and musically. Here are 53 of the finest, most popular, best-loved, and best-sung Christmas carols, anthems, and motets from medieval times to the present, performed and recorded in the wonderful acoustic space of the Trinity College Chapel. 

Unlike the choirs of Trinity's famous Cambridge neighbors, King's and St. John's colleges--which consist entirely of men and boys, Trinity is a mixed ensemble with female sopranos and altos. The tone, blend, and balance are exquisite and the combination of the three stands as an ideal, and the choir's ensemble technique and musicianship are unsurpassed. --David Vernier

1 Wachet auf
2 Advent Responsory
3 Wachet auf, BWV 645 - Richard Marlow
4 Of the Father's Heart
5 Angelus ad virginem
6 The Holly and the Ivy
7 I Sing of a Maiden
8 Ding Dong! Merrily on High
9 O Come, All Ye Faithful
10 There Is No Rose
11 Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen - Richard Marlow
12 Silent Night
13 O Little Town of Bethlehem
14 I Saw Three Ships
15 Sweet was the song
16 Personent Hodie
17 Away in a Manger
18 Resonet in laudibus
19 Up! Good Christian Folk
20 The First Nowell
21 The Shepherds' Farewell
22 The Three Kings
23 Unto Us Is Born a Son
24 The Coventry Carol
25 What cheer?
26 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
27 In dulci jubilo - Richard Marlow

Disc: 2

1 Wake, O wake
2 The Angel Gabriel
3 Noel: Chantons - Silas Standage
4 Edi beo thu, hevene quene
5 A Hymn to the Virgin
6 Noel - Silas Standage
7 This is the record of John
8 A Child Is Born In Bethlehem
9 Once in Royal David's City
10 Rejoice, rejoice, with heart and voice
11 Hodie Christus natus est
12 A great and mighty wonder
13 O Little One Sweet
14 In Dulci Jubilo
15 Noel: mais on San es allé nau - Silas Standage
16 The Blessed Son Of God
17 O ye little flock
18 While Shepherds Watched
19 Shepherds' Cradle Song
20 The Lamb
21 As With Gladness
22 Here is the little door
23 In the Bleak Midwinter
24 Rhapsodie sur des Noels - Philip Rushforth
25 Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
26 Illuminare, Jerusalem
27 Noel: Le Roy des cieux - Silas Standage
28 The Coventry Carol
29 Benedicamus Domino

Mary Anne Ballard - treble and bass viols, rebec

Mark Cudek - cittern, Baroque guitar, tenor viol, tenor recorder
Custer LaRue - soprano
Larry Lipkis - viol, soprano recorder
Ronn McFarlane - lute
Chris Norman - wooden flutes, bagpipe

Bright Day Star: Music for the Yuletide Season
One cannot step into an elevator, fast-food restaurant, or airport between Thanksgiving and New Year's without hearing most of the tunes recorded here. This traditional music, with roots going back many centuries, revives our spirits and evokes a festive mood.   They have been part of our cultural subconscious for centuries. They have not been lost and then unearthed in recent times, like so much early music. They have been with us all along.

—Mary Anne Ballard

1. Ding Dong Merrily (Branle l'officiel) - Orchésographie (1589)
2. The Old Year Now Away is Fled (Greensleeves) - New Christmas Carols (1642)
3. Christmas Day in da Mornin' - traditional, Shetland Islands
4. The Cherry Tree Carol - Cornwall (1913) and Kentucky (1917)
5. Wir singen dir, Immanuel - Nikolaus Hermann (1560)
6. The Wren Song - traditional, Ireland
7. A Wassail Tune (Chestnut) - English Dancing Master (1651)
8. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day - William Sandys (1833)
9. Carol "Een Kindeken is ons geboren" - John Bull (c. 1562-1628)
10. The Bellman's Carol - Bramley & Stainer (1871)
11. A Christmas Jig (Jesus born in Berthn'y) - traditional, Virginia (1932)
12. Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen - Michael Praetorius (1609)
13. In dulci jubilo - Johann Michael Bach (1648-1694)
14. Rorate coeli desuper - tune, Scottish; text, William Dunbar (16th c.)
15. Drive the Cold Winter Away - tunes, Starter (1621) and Playford (1651)
16. Remember, O Thou Man - Thomas Ravenscroft (1611)
17. Quem pastores laudavere - Michael Praetorius (1607)
18. Christmas Is My Name - Shanne Commonplace Book (c. 1615)
19. In dir ist Freude - tune, Giovanni Gastoldi (1591)
20. Hey for Christmas! (Dargason) - broadside ballad (late 17th c.)

https://www.sonoluminus.com/dorian/bright-day-star

1995

Although this is not a new release (it was first issued in 1995, in the days pre-Classicstoday.com), its program and performances are very worthy of the attention of choral music fans. 

The Christmas-themed repertoire, an enduring collection of mostly newer works coupled with several classics, brings us top-notch renditions of Stravinsky's "Ave Maria"" and Poulenc's motet "Quem vidistis pastores dicite" as well as the rarely heard Herbert Howells piece "Long, long ago" (choirs usually opt for his "A spotless rose") and Arvo Pärt's increasingly popular Magnificat. Stephen Paulus' "Evensong" (a setting of an obscure 19th-century German poem by Matthias Claudius) is a highlight, as is Basque composer Javier Busto's lovely "Ave Maria: (which should be in the standard repertoire of every choir!). 

There's more, much more, and I'll leave it to you to discover the many delights of this well-chosen program. Of course, the Dale Warland Singers invariably offer first-rate singing and interpretations, especially in their performances of more modern repertoire, and they do so here, complemented by very fine sound from (appropriately) The Church of the Nativity in St Paul, Minnesota. Highly recommended! --David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

1 Long, Long Ago
2 Song of Cherubim
3 The Rune of Hospitality
4 Corpus Christi Carol
5 Magnificat
6 All Night Vigil, Opus 37: Praise the Name of the Lord
7 The Oxen
8 Ave Maria
9 Ave Maria
10 Four Motets for Christmastime: Quem Vidistis Pastores Dicite
11 Evensong
12 Little Tree

Label: American Choral

The rebirth of Gallican chant.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, in the heyday of the 'Baroque', the Church of France attempted to revive the old Gallican chant which had been absorbed into the great so-called 'Gregorian' repertoire. An example of this is provided by the plainchant Mass of the Nativity recorded here, a gem of its kind.

ANONYMOUS · I. Introït : Parvulus natus est nobis (5'53) · II. Kyrie eleïson (10'21) · III. Gloria in excelsis Deo (20'12) · IV. Graduel : Recordatus est Domine (2'08) · V. Alleluia : Verbum caro factus est (2'25) · VI. Prose : Votis Pater annuit (3'58) · VII. Offertoire : Hostias et oblationes (1'39) · VIII. Préface (1'44) · IX. Sanctus (6'46) · X. Motet au Saint-Sacrement : O salutaris Hostia (4'57) · XI. Agnus Dei (6'32) · XII. Communion : In hoc apparuit caritas Dei (1'45) · XIII. Ite missa est (0'22) · XIV. Deo gratias (0'27) · XV. Postludium (2'39)
HARMONIA MUNDI

https://www.harmoniamundi.com/en/albums/mass-for-christmas-day/

Christmas is the season for whipping out those holiday-specific standard recordings. This splendid gift by Chanticleer should top the list, for one will never tire of this a cappella choir's interpretations. With selections spanning the last five centuries of Latin, German, English, Spanish, and French festive fare, this recording exemplifies the sacrifice of the ego to the higher form of choral sound. Jacob Handl's "Mirabile Mysterium" takes you on a trip into the chromatic wonderlands, where you temporarily lose tonal balance. Victoria's eerie and dissonant "O Magnum Mysterium" treats us to rich voices swelling out of one organic whole. The phenomenal blend and perfect intonation elevate this recording above others in its category. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

1 Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
2 O Magnum Mysterium
3 In Dulci Iubilo
4 O Virgo Virginum
5 O Jesulein S Jesulein Mild
6 Hodie Christus Natus Est
7 Marabile Mysterium
8 Verbum Caro Factum Est: y la Virgen Le Dezia
9 A Un Nilorando
10 Here Is the Little Door
11 Noel Canon
12 Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agrle
13 El Noi de la Mare
14 A Christmas Carol
15 A Virgin Unspotted
16 In the Bleak Mid-Winter
17 Glory to the Newborn King
18 Stille Nacht - Douce Nuit - Silent Night

1 We Wish You a Merry Christmas 2 A Christmas Festival Overture: Joy to the World/Deck the Hall/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 3 Nativity Carol 4 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 5 Farandole (Suite L'arlesienne) 6 The Shepherd's Farewell 7 Ring Out, Wild Bells 8 For Unto Us a Child Is Born 9 Shepherd's Hey 10 The Twelve Days of Christmas 11 O Come, All Ye Faithful 12 Sussex Carol 13 A Christmas Fantasy: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear/In Dulci Jubilo/Unto Us a Child Is Born Chandos https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%204541

Britten: A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28
Britten: A Hymn to the Virgin
Britten: Hymn to St Cecilia, Op. 27
Britten: Missa Brevis in D major, Op. 63
Britten: Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30
Britten: Sacred and Profane, Op. 91

1996

1 Mary Did You Know?
2 Carol of the Birds
3 I Wonder As I Wander
4 Gesù Bambino
5 El desembre congelat (December's cold winds were stilled)
6 El Noi de la Mare (The Son of the Virgin)
7 Dormi, Jesus
8 Quittez, Pasteurs
9 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
10 Jubilation
11 Wasn't That a Mighty Day
12 The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy
13 Me Thinks I See A Heavn'ly Host
14 Sweet Little Jesus Boy
15 Mary and Her Baby Chile (Medley of three Christmas Spirituals)
16 Mary Had a Baby
17 Jesus, The Light of the World
18 Suo Gan
19 Silent Night

Twenty-three carols, remarkably sung, including "I Saw Three Ships," "Un Flambeau Jeanette Isabelle," "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," plus Rutter's own "Star Carol" and "Shepherd's Pipe Carol." "First rate. The Cambridge Singers have done it again." -- Classics Today

1 I Saw Three Ships
2 Riu, Riu, Chiu
3 Mary's Lullaby
4 Sans Day Carol
5 Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle
6 Star Carol
7 What Is This Lovely Fragrance?
8 Wexford Carol
9 Balulalow
10 I Saw a Fair Maiden
11 Jesus Child
12 Quittez Pasteurs
13 The Lamb
14 Fantasia on Christmas Carols
15 Blessed Be That Maid Mary
16 Donkey Carol
17 Wildwood Carol
18 Go, Tell It on the Mountain
19 The Very Best Time of Year
20 Deck the Hall
21 Shepherd's Pipe Carol
22 Christmas Lullaby
23 We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Collegium

ASV

1997

1998

1 Suite Of Medieval Carols
2 Three French Carols: Ding Dong Merrily On High/O Come, O Come, Emmanuel/Angels We Have Heard On High
3 Suite From The Nutcracker: Marche
4 Suite From The Nutcracker: Danse Arabe
5 Suite From The Nutcracker: Danse Russe Trepak
6 What Child Is This
7 A Suite Of English Carols: Deck The Halls/Coventry Carol/The First Nowell
8 Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
9 Song Of The Birds
10 Wassail Song
11 Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme
12 Three German Carols: In Dulci Jubilo/Silent Night/Hark The Herald Angels Sing
13 Suite From Judas Maccabaeus
14 Christmas Day

Label: Valmark

Includes Carol of the Bells; a Christmas Carillon; Away in a Manger; It Came Upon a Midnight Clear; a Carol for all Seaons; We Three Kings; O Holy Night, and more.

1 A Christmas Carillon
2 Away in a Manger
3 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
4 Fantasy on 'Greensleeves'
5 Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming
6 Carol of the Bells
7 O Holy Night
8 O Little Town of Bethlehem
9 Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella
10 A Carol for All Seasons
11 Angels from the Realms
12 Christmas Lullaby
13 The First Noel - Pachelbel's Canon
14 We Three Kings

No one has recorded more innovative Christmas anthologies than Andrew Parrott--and this disc is no exception. The Promise of Ages presents a collection of wonderful seasonal music arranged for women's voices (all arrangements were either made or sanctioned by the composers). 

The selection includes 15th-century English works such as "There is no rose of swych vertu"; traditional tunes both genuine ("Deck the Halls" in an 18th-century Welsh arrangement for harp) and fake (J. J. Niles's "I Wonder as I Wander" and "Lullay, thou little tiny child"); rollicking Irish dance tunes; and 20th-century works by such composers as Britten, Holst, and Judith Weir on traditional Christmas texts. One ingenious and effective suite combines Peter Maxwell Davies's "O magnum mysterium" and "The Fader of Heven" with the 14th-century "Song of the Nuns of Chester." 

All of the performances are exemplary, but Emily van Evera deserves special praise for her beautifully simple rendition of the Niles tunes. This collection can stand alongside Parrott's The Carol Album as the thinking person's Christmas albums. --Matthew Westphal

1 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
2 Nos Galan (Deck the Hall)
3 Lullay, Thou Tiny Little Child
4 Ther Is No Rose of Swych Vertu
5 I Sing of a Maiden
6 There Is No Rose from "A Ceremony of Carols"
7 O magnum mysterium (Responsory at Matins for Christmas Day)
8 Song of the Nuns of Chester "Qui creavit celum" verses 1-3
9 The Fader of Heven (ca. 1450 mystery play)
10 Song of the Nuns of Chester "Lactat mater Domini" verses 4-6
11 O magnum mysterium (Responsory at Matins for Christmas Day)
12 Lullay, Lullow: I Saw a Swete Semly Syght
13 I Wonder as I Wander - Emily van Evera
14 Staines Morris (Blessed be that maid Marie)
15 Hayl, Mary, Ful of Grace
16 The Seven Joys of Mary
17 Illuminare, Jerusalem
18 Good People All, This Christmastide
19 Sing We the Virgin Mary
20 In Bethlehem City - New London Chamber Choir
21 Christmas Eve
22 Hodie Christus natus est (Antiphon from Chester Processional)
23 Jesu, Thou the Virgin-born
24 As Dew in Aprille from " A Ceremony of Carols"
25 Lo! he Comes, with Clouds Descending - New London Chamber Choir

1999

This disc recycles two different but complementary LP recordings, the first being a 1968 outing with the Gregg Smith Singers, the New York Brass and Percussion Ensemble, and organist E. Power Biggs, the second being a 1965 recording with André Kostelanetz and his Orchestra. 

Though the repertoire for both is fairly traditional carols, they make for strange listening now. The Gregg Smith Singers selections are often straightforward, except when Biggs's gimmicky organ intervenes with all sorts of effects that are deployed with the artistry of Fourth of July fireworks. Did we ever mistake Biggs for a musician? 

Kostelanetz's ultra-busy orchestrations are almost comically souped up with cushy strings, ringing brass, and more harps than you'd ever want to hear. One saving grace is the underrecorded soprano Phyllis Curtin, who sings a lovely version of "O Holy Night." Also on hand is the St. Kilian Boy Choir, which has an unusually robust sound. --David Patrick Stearns

1 Patapan - Gregg Smith Singers
2 Three Kings of Orient - Gregg Smith Singers
3 What Child Is This - Gregg Smith Singers
4 Nowell We Sing - Gregg Smith Singers
5 Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Gregg Smith Singers
6 The Holly and the Ivy - Gregg Smith Singers
7 Adeste, Fideles-O Come, All Ye Faithful - Gregg Smith Singers
8 Joy to the World - Gregg Smith Singers
9 Lullaby My Liking - Gregg Smith Singers
10 Good King Wenceslas - Gregg Smith Singers
11 Silent Night, Holy Night - Gregg Smith Singers
12 Go Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen - Gregg Smith Singers
13 Medley: Welcome Here/Merry Christmas/Dame Get Up and Bake Your Pies/Christmas Is Coming - Gregg Smith
14 Angels We Have Heard on High - Gregg Smith Singers
15 We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Phyllis Curtin
16 Adeste, Fideles-O Come, All Ye Faithful - Phyllis Curtin
17 The First Nowell - Phyllis Curtin
18 Christmas Chimes - Phyllis Curtin
19 Medley: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing/Angels We Have Heard on High - Andre Kostelanetz & His Orchestra
20 Medley: Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly/Jingle Bells - Andre Kostelanetz & His Orchestra
21 Away in a Manger - Phyllis Curtin
22 Three Kings of Orient - Phyllis Curtin
23 O Little Town of Bethlehem - Phyllis Curtin
24 O Holy Night - Phyllis Curtin
25 Medley: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear/Away in a Manger - Andre Kostelanetz & His Orchestra
26 O Tannenbaum - Phyllis Curtin
27 We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Reprise) - Phyllis Curtin

The Lutheran Reformation inaugurated what was to become a distinctive tradition of liturgical music, that reached its zenith in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. 

A significant part of this musical tradition was the provision of extended musical settings of the biblical narratives concerning the life of Christ, performed on the respective feasts and fasts of the church year. Passions formed the greater part of these Historiae, as they were termed, but there were also musical expositions of the birth, resurrection and ascension of Christ.

—Robin A. Leaver

BWV 248
Disc 1
Part I
1. Chorus
2. Recitative — Evangelist
3. Recitative — Alto
4. Aria — Alto
5. Chorale
6. Recitative — Evangelist
7. Chorale — Soprano and Recitative — Bass
8. Aria — Bass
9. Chorale
Part II
10. Sinfonia
11. Recitative — Evangelist
12. Chorale
13. Recitative — Evangelist and Soprano
14. Recitative — Bass
15. Aria — Tenor
16. Recitative — Evangelist
17. Chorale
18. Recitative — Bass
19. Aria — Alto
20. Recitative — Evangelist
21. Chorus
22. Recitative — Bass
23. Chorale
Part III
24. Chorus
25. Recitative — Evangelist
26. Chorus
27. Recitative — Bass
28. Chorale
29. Aria Duetto — Soprano and Bass
30. Recitative — Evangelist
31. Aria — Alto
32. Recitative — Alto
33. Chorale
34. Recitative — Evangelist
35. Chorale
36. Chorus (Repeat of No. 24)

Disc 2
Part IV
1. Chorus
2. Recitative — Evangelist
3. Recitative and Chorale — Bass and Soprano
4. Aria — Soprano, Echo
5. Recitative and Chorale — Bass and Soprano
6. Aria — Tenor
7. Chorale
Part V
8. Chorus
9. Recitative — Evangelist
10. Chorus and Recitative — Alto
11. Chorale
12. Aria — Bass
13. Recitative — Evangelist
14. Recitative — Alto
15. Recitative — Evangelist
16. Aria Terzetto — Soprano, Alto, Tenor
17. Recitative — Alto
18. Chorale
Part VI
19. Chorus
20. Recitative — Evangelist and Bass
21. Recitative — Soprano
22. Aria — Soprano
23. Recitative — Evangelist
24. Chorale
25. Recitative — Evangelist
26. Recitative — Tenor
27. Aria — Tenor
28. Recitative — Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
29. Chorale

https://www.sonoluminus.com/dorian/christmas-oratorio

CHRISTMAS IN EARLY AMERICA Eighteenth century church musk in New England The American 'primitive' tradition of church music in the late eighteenth century blossomed from the transplanted customs of contemporary English gallery music. 

As unison congregational singing gained in popularity in the rural churches of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Britain and its American colonies, hands of gallery musicians, both singers and instrumentalists, were eventually formed in the mid 1800's to lead and embellish community performance of psalms, hymns and anthems. 

This development toward a unique choral tradition in the country churches was spurred by the publication of many new collections of 3 and 4 part harmonizations of the psalms and other spiritual songs, signaled by the release in 1696 id the New Version of the Psalms by Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady. 

The introduction of harmony, hence choral singing, in the parish churches of England was underway at the beginning of the eighteenth century, with supporting instruments appearing in the 1740's or 1750's. America's sterner brands of Calvinism withstood the temptations of harmony into the 1720's, causing much controversy among the various denominations.

01. The Harmony of Maine: How Beauteous Are Their Feet 
COMPOSER(s) Supply Belcher

02. The Columbian Repository of Sacred Harmony: How Beauteous Are Their Feet
COMPOSER(s)Samuel Holyoke

03. Masses, Vespers, Litanies, Hymns, Psalms, Anthems and Motetts for the Use of the Catholic Church in the United States: Anthem for Christmas
COMPOSER(s)Benjamin Carr

04. Symphonia Grandaeva Rediviva: If Angels Sung a Savior's Birth
COMPOSER(s)Joseph Stephenson

05. Harmonia americana: The Almighty Spake, and Gabriel Sped 
COMPOSER(s)Samuel Holyoke

06. Harmonia americana: Comfort Ye My People
COMPOSER(s)Samuel Holyoke

07. Episcopalian Harmony: Hark! The Glad Sound
*COMPOSER(s)John Jenkins Husband

08. Episcopalian Harmony: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
COMPOSER(s)Musgrave Heighington

09. Symphonia Grandaeva Rediviva: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
COMPOSER(s)Jacob French

10. The Singing Master's Assistant: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night 6:25
COMPOSER(s)William Billings

11. Unto Us a Child Is Born 3:33
COMPOSER(s)Johann Friedrich Peter

12. Prince of Peace, Immanuel
COMPOSER(s)John Antes

13. Hail Infant Newborn
COMPOSER(s)David Moritz Michael

14. To Us a Child Is Born
COMPOSER(s)Johannes Herbst

15. Thou Child Divine
COMPOSER(s)Johann Abraham Peter Schulz

16. Meine Seele erhebet den Herrn
COMPOSER(s)Jeremiah Dencke

17. Hosanna! Blessed He That Comes in the Name of the Lord 
COMPOSER(s)Christian Gregor

18. Magnificat anima mea Dominum 5:00
COMPOSER(s)Charles Theodore Pachelbel

Label: ‎ Channel Classics

https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/christmas-early-america-18th-century-carols-and-anthems

On Christmas Night

Various recording dates. Released November 1998.

This Classic FM-branded compilation includes tracks from albums previously released on Conifer Classics, and from Richard Marlow’s > recording on the Mirabilis label of Bach’s Orgelbüchlein.

This recording is not currently available in physical or download format, or on streaming services.

1999

Marco Scavazza (baritone), Mario Mora (piano), Francesco Moi (organ), Marcello Vargetto (bass), Paolo Costa (alto), Giovanni Caccamo (tenor)

Delitiae Musicae, Piccoli Musici, I, Marco Longhini

Willaert: Deus in adjutorium

Marco Scavazza
I Piccoli Musici
Willaert: Andrea Gabrrielli

Francesco Moi
Intonazione Dell' Ottavo Tono

Willaert: Dixit Dominus

Marcello Vargetto, Marco Scavazza, Paolo Costa, Giovanni Caccamo
Delitiae Musicae, I Piccoli Musici
Marco Longhini
Willaert: Confitebor Tibi Domine

Marcello Vargetto, Marco Scavazza, Paolo Costa, Giovanni Caccamo
Delitiae Musicae, I Piccoli Musici
Marco Longhini
Willaert: Ricercare No. 10

Delitiae Musicae
Willaert: Beatus Vir

Marcello Vargetto, Marco Scavazza, Paolo Costa, Giovanni Caccamo
Delitiae Musicae, I Piccoli Musici
Marco Longhini
Willaert: Jesu Redemptor Omnium
This work is only available as an album download.
Marco Scavazza, Marcello Vargetto, Paolo Costa, Giovanni Caccamo
Delitiae Musicae, I Piccoli Musici
Marco Longhini
Jesu Redemptor Omnium

Tu Lumen

Tu Lumen
This track is only available as an album download.
Willaert: De Profundis Clamavit

Marcello Vargetto, Marco Scavazza, Paolo Costa, Giovanni Caccamo
Delitiae Musicae, I Piccoli Musici
Marco Longhini
Willaert: Tecum Principium

Delitiae Musicae, I Piccoli Musici
Marco Longhini
Willaert: Memento Domine David

Marco Scavazza, Paolo Costa, Giovanni Caccamo, Marcello Vargetto
Delitiae Musicae, I Piccoli Musici
Marco Longhini
Willaert: Ricercare No. 1

Delitiae Musicae
Willaert: Hodie Christus

Delitiae Musicae, I Piccoli Musici
Marco Longhini
Willaert: Dominus Vobiscum

Marco Scavazza
Delitiae Musicae, I Piccoli Musici
Bible, Adrian Willaert: Benedicamus

Paolo Costa
Delitiae Musicae
Marco Longhini
Willaert: Magnificat

Marcello Vargetto, Marco Scavazza, Paolo Costa, Giovanni Caccamo
Delitiae Musicae, I Piccoli Musici
Marco Longhini

Formed in 1883, the choir under the direction of Frederick Burgomaster has achieved an international reputation for excellence in choral music and regularly tours the US and Europe. Benjamin Britten's 'A Ceremony of Carols' is one of the great works of. Four winds. CD in 2004.

1 Procession
2 Welcom Yole!
3 There Is No Rose
4 That Yonge Child
5 Balulalow
6 As Dew in April
7 This Little Babe
8 Interlude
9 In Freezing Winter Night
10 Spring Carol
11 Deo Gracias
12 Recession
13 Medieval Chants, Carols, & Motets: Hodie Christus Natus Es
14 There Is No Rose - (Anonymous)
15 Audivi, Media Nocte - (Thomas Tallis)
16 Sing We to This Merry Company - (Anonymous)
17 Lux Hodie: Orientis Partibus - (Anonymous)
18 O Magnum Mysterium - (Tomas Luis de Victoria)
19 Divisions on Greensleeves - (English Folk Melody)
20 Sweet Was the Song the Virgin Sang - (Anonymous)
21 Dixit Maria - (Hans Leo Hassler)
22 Lullay, Lullow: I Saw - (Anonymous)
23 Illuminare Jerusalem - (Anonymous)
24 Ante Luciferum Genitus - (Jacob Handl)

Four Winds

Musical Heritage Society

1996

Cala Records

1 Up! Awake! from highest steeple
2 Remember, O Thou Man
3 There Stood in Heaven A Linden Tree: Arranged by G.H. Palmer
4 Alleluya, A New Work Is Come on Hand, for chorus, Op. 17/3
5 Work(s): Salve puerule
6 The Holly and the Ivy (English): Arranged by H. Walford Davies
7 Jesus Christ the Apple Tree (The Apple Tree Carol)
8 Resonet in laudibus a 7 (Eulogodia Sionia, 1611), motet
9 Ding Dong! Merrily on High (French): Arranged by Charles Wood
10 Nowell, carol for SATB chorus, J. 52C
11 Alleluja! Freuet Euch, Ihr Christen alle Achtstimmige, motet from 'Vierter Theil Musicalischer Andacten, 1646'
12 Up! Good Christian Folk, and Listen (Piae cantiones): Arranged by G.R. Woodward
13 In dulci jubilo (Piæ Cantiones): Arranged by R.L. Pearsall
14 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (adapted by W. H. Cummings from Mendelssohn's Festgesang for the Gutenberg Festival)
15 Puer natus
16 Rocking Carol (Czech): Arranged by David Wilcocks
17 Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, for chorus, Op. 75/2
18 Illuminare Jerusalem
19 A Shepherd's Carol, for chorus
20 Good King Wenceslas (Piae Cantiones, 1582)

Deutsche Grammophon

1998

This disc includes some of the most beautiful baroque music on offer, performed by Simon Standage and Collegium Musicum 90, and is the perfect Christmas gift for the discerning buyer. It includes three popular favourites: Corelli’s Concerto ‘for Christmas Eve’, an idyllic Christmas concerto by Vivaldi and a Christmas Concerto grosso by Manfredini. 

These are complemented by two little-known cantatas by Telemann and Scarlatti. Susan Gritton is a delightful soloist in Scarlatti’s cantata, which was described by Classic CD as ‘ravishing and ravishingly sung… worth anyone’s CD token’. This disc is a gem and now available for the first time at mid-price.

'Sultry seduction surfaces in Susan Gritton’s reading of Alessandro Scarlatti’s ‘Cantata for the Birth of Our Lord’. Collegium Musicum 90 and Simon Standage are also on seductive form in famous ‘Christmas’ concertos by Vivaldi, Manfredini and Corelli/'

                Classic FM Magazine

Chandos

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%200754

1990

If you're looking for a single classical/pops Christmas album you can play year after year, Erich Kunzel's Christmas with the Pops might just be it. At the helm of his familiar Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and accompanied by a full roster of guest stars, Kunzel steps through 70 minutes of mostly traditional favorites for orchestra with and without chorus (a children's chorus and bell choir are also on hand). The guest stars are Doc Severinsen ("The Christmas Song"), Rosemary Clooney ("White Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"), Toni Tenille ("The Christmas Waltz"), Sherrill Milnes ("Go Tell It on the Mountain"), and boy soprano Stephen Van Dyck ("Walking in the Air" from The Snowman television special). Count on making Christmas with the Pops an annual tradition in your home. --David Horiuchi

Telarc

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH: Christmas Cantatas

Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe Herreweghe

Das neugeborne Kinderlein BWV 122 Le petit enfant nouveau-né The new-born little baby · Choral Das neugeborne Kinderlein (3'06) · Aria O Menschen, die ihr täglich sündigt (5'11) · Recitativo Die Engel, welche sich zuvor (1'21) · Aria Ist Gott versöhnt und unser Freund (2'11) · Recitativo Dies ist ein Tag, den selbst der Herr gemacht (1'10) · Choral Es bringt das rechte Jubeljahr (0'38) Unser Mund sei voll Lachens BWV 110 Que notre bouche s'emplisse de rires Let our mouths be filled with laughter · Chor Unser Mund sei voll Lachens (6'38) · Aria Ihr Gedanken und ihr Sinnen (4'23) · Recitativo Dir, Herr, ist niemand gleich (0'30) · Aria Ach Herr, was ist ein Menschenkind (4'31) · Duetto Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe (3'45) · Aria Wacht auf, ihr Adern und ihr Glieder (3'41) · Choral Alleluja! Gelobt sei Gott (0'56) Selig ist der Mann BWV 57 Heureux l'homme Blessed is the man · Aria Selig ist der Mann (3'35) · Recitativo Ach! dieser süße Trost (1'26) · Aria Ich wünschte mir den Tod (5'34) · Recitativo Ich reiche dir die Hand (0'24) · Aria Ja, ja, ich kann die Feinde schlagen (5'32) · Recitativo In meiner Schoß liegt Ruh und Leben (1'29) · Aria Ich ende behende (4'11) · Choral Richte dich, Liebste, nach meinem Gefallen (0'45)

Harmonia Mundi

https://www.harmoniamundi.com/en/albums/christmas-cantatas/

Laserlight

1997

In 1997, this recording became the most successful first-year release in Collegium history. Mastered from an original 1981 digital tape, once thought lost forever, it is actually the first-ever recording by The Cambridge Singers. It contains 22 Christmas songs, including The Christmas Song, written by Mel Tormé.

1 Good Christian Men, Rejoice 2 I Wonder As I Wander 3 All My Heart This Night Rejoices 4 Silent Night 5 Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming 6 Ding Dong! Merrily on High 7 Three Kings of Orient 8 How Great Our Joy 9 Angels We Have Heard on High 10 Joy to the World 11 Away in a Manger 12 Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle 13 God Rest You Merry Gentlemen 14 What Child Is This? 15 'Twas in the Moon of Winter Time 16 O Little One Sweet 17 Go, Tell It on the Mountain 18 Away in a Manger 19 Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow 20 The Christmas Song 21 We Wish You a Merry Christmas 22 O Come All Ye Faithful Collegium

1999

The Master Chorale of Washington (formerly the Paul Hill Chorale) has attracted the praise of critics nationwide through over 200 performances at the Kennedy Center, American and European tours, and national radio and television broadcasts. Since 1969, the Chorale has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra under Howard Mitchell, Antal Dorati, Dmitri Kabalevsky, Julius Rudel, Neville Marriner and Mstislav Rostropovich. 

In 1971, the Chorale was featured in the inaugural concerts of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, and performs an annual series of concerts in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. There are 140 singers in the group, including a professional core. In June 1999, the Chorale was awarded the prestigious Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence by Chorus America.

https://www.albanyrecords.com/catalog/troy0353/

                                    ‎ Maggie's Music

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH, Christmas Oratorio

La Chapelle Royale, Collegium Vocale Gent, Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, Philippe Herreweghe

The Christmas Oratorio is the sublime outcome of a vast project that Bach completed between December1734 and January 1735. This monumental fresco inspired by the history of the Nativity for narrators, soloists, choirs and orchestra comprises no fewer than six sections, each one a huge cantata. The general tone, reconciling the most daring polyphony with the spirit of Christmas and a moving naiveté, endows this masterpiece with an extraordinary freshness.

https://www.harmoniamundi.com/en/albums/christmas-oratorio/

1996

1 O Come All Ye Faithful 2:55
2 The Holly And The Ivy 2:55
3 Ding Dong Merrily 1:50
4 Silent Night 2:03
5 O Little Town Of Bethlehem 2:34
6 I Saw Three Ships 2:05
7 Away In A Manger 2:41
8 The First Noel 5:04
9 The Coventry Carol 2:30
10 The Shepherds' Farewell 5:17
11 Unto Us Is Born A Son 2:05
12 There Is No Rose 2:25
13 I Sing Of A Maiden 2:41
14 Personent Hodie 1:58
15 The Three Kings 2:44
16 Hark The Herald Angels Sing 3:00

1990

This isn't an oratorio in the Handelian sense, but a series of cantatas for various days from Christmas to Epiphany. Bach's music is loaded with treats: an echo aria for soprano and oboe; a "pastoral" sinfonia; bravura arias for tenor with flute and bass with trumpet; a giddy soprano-bass duet; a transporting lullaby for alto. 

Then there are the choruses, featuring the Monteverdi Choir at their best: exuberant full-orchestra choruses in parts one and three; a lilting triple-time chorus with horns in part four; the joyful skittering chorus in part five; and the triumphant opening and closing of part six (with spectacular trumpet solos). John Eliot Gardiner's direction is vigorous; the soloists, the best group you'll find on CD, include a terrific young Anne Sofie von Otter. --Matthew Westphal

1 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Four - for the Feast of the Circumcision: Coro - The Monteverdi Choir
2 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Four - for the Feast of the Circumcision: Evangelista: Und Da Acht Tage Um Waren - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
3 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Four - for the Feast of the Circumcision: Recitative (Basso): Immanuel, O Susses Wort; Arioso (Soprani, Basso): Jeu, Du Mein Liebstes Leben - Olaf Bar/Nancy Argenta
4 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Four - for the Feast of the Circumcision: Aria (Soprano, Echo Soprano): Flosst, Mein Heiland, Flosst Dein Namen - Nancy Argenta/Anne Sofie Von Otter
5 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Four - for the Feast of the Circumcision: Recitative - Choral - Olaf Bar/The Monteverdi Choir
6 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Four - for the Feast of the Circumcision: Aria - Hans Peter Blochwitz
7 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Four - for the Feast of the Circumcision: Choral - The Monteverdi Choir
8 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Coro - The Monteverdi Choir
9 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Evangelista - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
10 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Coro - Recitativo - The Monteverdi Choir/Anne Sofie Von Otter
11 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Choral - The Monteverdi Choir
12 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Aria - Olaf Bar
13 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Evangelista - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
14 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Recitativo - Anne Sofie Von Otter
15 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Evangelista - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
16 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Terzetto - Nancy Argenta/Anne Sofie Von Otter/Hans Peter Blochwitz
17 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Recitativo - Anne Sofie Von Otter
18 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Five - for the 1st Sunday in the New Year: Choral - The Monteverdi Choir
19 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Coro - The Monteverdi Choir
20 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Evangelista - Herodes - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
21 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Recitativo - Nancy Argenta
22 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Aria - Nancy Argenta
23 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Evangelista - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
24 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Choral - The Monteverdi Choir
25 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Evangelista - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
26 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Recitativo - Hans Peter Blochwitz
27 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Aria - Hans Peter Blochwitz
28 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Recitativo - Schrecken - Nancy Argenta/Anne Sofie Von Otter/Hans Peter Blochwitz/Olaf Bar
29 Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Part Six - for the Feast of Epiphany: Choral - The Monteverdi Choir

Archiv

1995

Conifer Records

The Lutheran Reformation inaugurated what was to become a distinctive tradition of liturgical music, that reached its zenith in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. A significant part of this musical tradition was the provision of extended musical settings of the biblical narratives concerning the life of Christ, performed on the respective feasts and fasts of the church year. Passions formed the greater part of these Historiae, as they were termed, but there were also musical expositions of the birth, resurrection and ascension of Christ.

—Robin A. Leaver

BWV 248
Disc 1
Part I
1. Chorus
2. Recitative — Evangelist
3. Recitative — Alto
4. Aria — Alto
5. Chorale
6. Recitative — Evangelist
7. Chorale — Soprano and Recitative — Bass
8. Aria — Bass
9. Chorale
Part II
10. Sinfonia
11. Recitative — Evangelist
12. Chorale
13. Recitative — Evangelist and Soprano
14. Recitative — Bass
15. Aria — Tenor
16. Recitative — Evangelist
17. Chorale
18. Recitative — Bass
19. Aria — Alto
20. Recitative — Evangelist
21. Chorus
22. Recitative — Bass
23. Chorale
Part III
24. Chorus
25. Recitative — Evangelist
26. Chorus
27. Recitative — Bass
28. Chorale
29. Aria Duetto — Soprano and Bass
30. Recitative — Evangelist
31. Aria — Alto
32. Recitative — Alto
33. Chorale
34. Recitative — Evangelist
35. Chorale
36. Chorus (Repeat of No. 24)
Disc 2
Part IV
1. Chorus
2. Recitative — Evangelist
3. Recitative and Chorale — Bass and Soprano
4. Aria — Soprano, Echo
5. Recitative and Chorale — Bass and Soprano
6. Aria — Tenor
7. Chorale
Part V
8. Chorus
9. Recitative — Evangelist
10. Chorus and Recitative — Alto
11. Chorale
12. Aria — Bass
13. Recitative — Evangelist
14. Recitative — Alto
15. Recitative — Evangelist
16. Aria Terzetto — Soprano, Alto, Tenor
17. Recitative — Alto
18. Chorale
Part VI
19. Chorus
20. Recitative — Evangelist and Bass
21. Recitative — Soprano
22. Aria — Soprano
23. Recitative — Evangelist
24. Chorale
25. Recitative — Evangelist
26. Recitative — Tenor
27. Aria — Tenor
28. Recitative — Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
29. Chorale

https://www.sonoluminus.com/dorian/christmas-oratorio

1995

"Although this is not a new release (it was first issued in 1995, in the days pre-Classicstoday.com), its program and performances are very worthy of the attention of choral music fans. The Christmas-themed repertoire, an enduring collection of mostly newer works coupled with several classics, brings us top-notch renditions of Stravinsky's Ave Maria and Poulenc's motet Quem vidistis pastores dicite as well as the rarely heard Herbert Howells piece Long, long ago (choirs usually opt for his A spotless rose) and Arvo Pärt's increasingly popular Magnificat. Stephen Paulus' Evensong (a setting of an obscure 19th-century German poem by Matthias Claudius) is a highlight, as is Basque composer Javier Busto's lovely Ave Maria (which should be in the standard repertoire of every choir!). There's more, much more, and I'll leave it to you to discover the many delights of this well-chosen program. 

Of course, the Dale Warland Singers invariably offer first-rate singing and interpretations, especially in their performances of more modern repertoire, and they do so here, complemented by very fine sound from (appropriately) The Church of the Nativity in St Paul, Minnesota. Highly recommended!"

 --David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

1 Long, Long Ago
2 Song of Cherubim
3 The Rune of Hospitality
4 Corpus Christi Carol
5 Magnificat
6 All Night Vigil, Opus 37: Praise the Name of the Lord
7 The Oxen
8 Ave Maria
9 Ave Maria
10 Four Motets for Christmastime: Quem Vidistis Pastores Dicite
11 Evensong
12 Little Tree

1994

Gamut GAM CD 543, works and arrangements by H.J. Gauntlett, Elisabeth Maconchy, Thomas Ravenscroft, Nicholas White, Herbert Howells, Philip Radcliffe, Timothy Brown, D. Antonio de Fidio, David Willcocks, Paul Drayton, Stephen Jackson, Gustav Holst, Harold Darke, Kenneth Leighton, Andrew Carter, Christopher Brown, John Rutter.

Gamut

Leo Sowerby's choral music has never been out of the repertory and several of his works for Christmas, particularly this collection's title anthem, "Love Came Down at Christmas," and the Epiphany anthem, "Now There Lightens Upon Us," are prominent among the reasons why. 

This collection, which includes nearly all of Sowerby's Christmas music, presents a comprehensive overview; from his very first, "A Carol for New Year's Day," dating from his eighteenth year, to "A Prayer for Christmas," composed in his 72nd year for the choir of his last parish church, Christ Church, Georgetown. 

From the immediately engaging arrangements of traditional folk tunes, to the soaring vocal heights and harmonic moodiness of the a cappella "A Great and Mighty Wonder" to the virtuosic choral-Organ collaborations, the composer displays a sure and ever-changing harmonic spectrum woven brilliantly into the choral fabric. 

All of these carols are a true testament to Leo Sowerby's craft and faith and his convictions of the joy and splendor of this magnificent season. This disc contains some magnificent music, appealing no matter what the season.

https://www.albanyrecords.com/catalog/troy0187/

"A Spanish Nativity": Carols from the Spanish Golden Century

Emotionally powerful and moving music by Peter Abelard, the most celebrated teacher of his time. Also a remarkable composer, Abelard wrote hymns and laments (planctus), six of which survive and are recorded here. Four planctus from the important Codex Las Huelgas complete this recording.

PETER ABELARD [1079-1142] · 

O quanta qualia 

Virgines caste 

Planctus cigne 

ANONYMOUS 

Quis dabit 

O monialis 

Rex obiit 

Plange, Castella 

PETER ABELARD [1079-1142] 

De profundis 

Epithalamica

Planctus David

https://www.harmoniamundi.com/en/albums/monastic-song/

1997

The end of the 15th century in Spain saw a consolidation of power and a resulting political stability. The marriage of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castille brought about a union of these two kingdoms in 1479. Granada, the last Muslim stronghold, was conquered in 1492, the same year in which Columbus set out on a voyage of discovery which took him to what would later be known as the Americas. 

Thus, the Spanish Renaissance, the Siglo de Oro ("Golden Age"), and the period from which the pieces on this recording are taken, began with Spain at the height of political and military strength.

—Felix Cox
From "Villancicos de diversos autores" Venice, 1556 - Anonymous
1. Verbum caro factum est 1:09
2. No la deuemos dormir 1:16
3. Alta Reyna soberana 1:44
4. Yo me soy la morenica 1:47
5. Señores, el qu’es nascido 1:51
6. Riu, riu chiu 2:57
7. Dadme al bricias 1:22
From "Canciones y villanescas espirituales" Venice 1589 - Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599)
8. Oyd, oyd una cosa 2:03
9. Vamos al portal 3:24
10. Zagales, sin seso vengo 2:10
11. Virgen sancta 3:40
12. A un niño llorando 2:38
13. Canite tuba - Francisco Guerrero 2:25
14. Rorate caeli - Francisco Guerrero 2:20
15. Veni Domine - Cristobal de Morales
(c.1500-1553) 2:21
16. Ave Maria - Tomás Luis de Victoria
(1548-1611) 1:57
17. Ne timeas Maria - Tomás Luis de Victoria 4:09
18. Pastores loquebantur - Francisco Guerrero 3:21
19. Tria sunt munera - Juan Esquivel
(c.1565-after 1613) 1:41
20. O magnum mysterium - Tomás Luis de Victoria 3:45
Missa O magnum mysterium - Tomás Luis de Victoria
21. Kyrie 1:52
22. Gloria 3:40
23. Credo 5:20
24. Sanctus/Benedictus 4:13
25. Agnus Dei 2:06

https://www.sonoluminus.com/dorian/navidad-iberica

1998

Chandos

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%200634

1997

1 O Come, Emmanuel

2 Alleluia

3 The First Nowell

4 The Carol of the Birds

5 Allon, Gay Bergeres

6 A Hymn to the Virgin

7 O Magnum Mysterium

8 Christmas Oratorio: Rejoice and Sing

9 Ave Maria

10 What Is This Lovely Fragrance?

11 Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

12 Sing Lullaby

13 While By My Sheep

14 Christmas Oratorio: Break Forth, O Wondrous Heavenly Light

15 Heavenly Light

16 Adeste Fideles

17 Ceremony of Carols: Procession - Hodie Christus Natus Est

18 Ceremony of Carols: Wolcum Yole!

19 Ceremony of Carols: There Is No Rose

20 Ceremony of Carols: That Yonge Child

21 Ceremony of Carols: Balulalow

22 Ceremony of Carols: As Dew in Aprille

23 Ceremony of Carols: This Little Babe

24 Interlude (Harp Solo)

25 Ceremony of Carols: In Freezing Winter Night

26 Ceremony of Carols: Spring Carol

27 Ceremony of Carols: Deo Gracias

28 Ceremony of Carols: Recession: Hodie Christus Natus Est

Telarc

1992

New in original long cd box. Told by Morgan Freeman. Music by The Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford

Rabbit Ears

1999 1 Silent Night - The Choir Of King's College/Stephen Cleobury 2 In The Bleak Mid-Winter - John Bowen/David Briggs/The Choir Of King's College/Stephen Cleobury 3 Child In A Manger - The Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College/John Rutter 4 Cradle Song - The Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College/John Rutter 5 Born On Earth - Stephen Cleobury/The Choir Of St. John's College/George Guest 6 Away In A Manger - Mark Tinkler/Stephen Cleobury/The Choir Of St. John's College/George Guest 7 Shepherd's Pipe Carol - Stephen Cleobury/The Choir Of St. John's College/George Guest 8 Suo Gan - Lynton Atkinson/Simon Keenlyside/Robert King/Stephen Cleobury/The Choir Of St. John's College/George 9 In Dulci Jubilo - The Choir Of King's College/Sir David Willcocks 10 The Infant King - The Choir Of King's College/Stephen Cleobury 11 King Jesus Hath A Garden - The Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College/John Rutter 12 Gabriel's Message - Mary Hitch/The Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College/John Rutter 13 A Spotless Rose - Donald Sweeney/The Choir Of Winchester Cathedral/David Hill 14 Lullaby My Jesus - The Choir Of Winchester Cathedral/David Hill 15 The Blessed Son Of God - The Choir Of Winchester Cathedral/David Hill 16 Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agreable - The Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College/John Rutter 17 The Holly And The Ivy - Jonathan Lamb/Christopher Hughes/Simon Haynes/Roland Robertson/The Choir Of King's College... 18 Rocking - The Choir Of King's College/Sir David Willcocks 19 Coventry Carol - The Choir Of King's College/Sir David Willcocks 20 Myn Lyking - Simon Preston/The Choir Of King's College/Sir David Willcocks 21 The Crown Of Roses - The Choir Of Clare College/John Rutter 22 Mary's Lullaby - The Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College/John Rutter 23 I Sing Of A Maiden - Simon Preston/The Choir Of King's College/Sir David Willcocks 24 Remember, O Thou Man - The Choir Of King's College/Sir David Willcocks 25 O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Simon Preston/The Choir Of King's College/Sir David Willcocks

1996

The Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Indianapolis Biography THE CHOIRS OF CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, formed in 1883, has achieved an international reputation for choral excellence. 

In addition to performing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Men and Boys have sung numerous commissioned works and have frequently appeared on radio and television broadcasts, including the nationally televised series 'The Joy of Music' hosted by organist Diane Bish. 

The Choir has toured Great Britain and Europe, singing in London (St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey), Canterbury, Ely, Truro, Dublin (Christ Church Cathedral), Paris (Notre Dame), and in the cities of Chartres, Munich, Berlin, Leipzig, Venice (St. Mark's), and Rome (St. Peter's Basilica). 

The Cathedral Girl's Choir is made up of girls ages 8 through 18. They recently celebrated their 50th anniversary year with a choir reunion service and concert for present and former members, three of whom had entered the Choir with the very first group of girls in 1945. 

The Girl's Choir has appeared in concert with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and has appeared on overseas tours as well, appearing in many of the great cathedrals of Europe. 

FREDERICK BURGOMASTER, Director Frederick Burgomaster is Organist and Choirmaster of Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis, and Conductor and Music Director of the Indianapolis Festival Chorus and Orchestra. He holds a DMA degree from the University of Southern California, an SMM degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and the Associate Certificate from the American Guild of Organists. 

As a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship, he studied organ and conducting for two years in Munich, Germany with noted Bach interpreter Karl Richter, and sang with the Munich Bach Choir. He was also a scholarship grantee at the International Bach Week in Ansbach. 

He was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship for advanced choral study in Oxford, England. A former president of the Association of Anglican Musicians, he has also served on the Standing Commission on Church Music of the Episcopal Church. Four Winds Albums by The Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Indianapolis: 

George Frideric Handel: Messiah ~ Highlights from Parts I & II On August 22, 1741, at a low point in his life and career, and suffering from partial paralysis due to a stroke, George Frideric Handel began work on Messiah. 

In an incredible 24 days, the great dramatic composer completed perhaps the most powerful, spiritually moving, and popular oratorio of all time. 

Benjamin Britten: 'Saint Nicolas' (FW 3023) The cantata 'Saint Nicolas' is based on the poetry of Eric Crozier, and tells the story of Nicolas from his birth, through his becoming Bishop of Myra, and serving the diocese faithfully until his death. Britten's music is highly pictorial, describing the life of St. Nicolas, universally known as Santa Claus, as if it had been recorded in vivid paitings and sketches. 

Benjamin Britten: 'A Ceremony of Carols' & Medieval Chants and Carols (FW3011) Britten's 'A Ceremony of Carols' is one of the great works of the 20th century for treble voices. The sound is fresh and bright, with virtuosic passages for both voices and harp. 

'Sing, Choirs of Angels' (FW 3003) Under the direction of Frederick Burgomaster, the choir captures all of the glory of Christmas in this collection of favorites and rarely recorded gems. Includes traditional Christmas carols, medieval chants and carols, and contemporary Christian music. 'Into The Light...Divine Choral Music of the Renaissance and Beyond' (FW 3001) Contains glorious live performances of motets and anthems from several of the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boy's European tours, recorded in some of the great European cathedrals in Great Britain, Germany, France, and Italy.

1 Sussex Carol (Traditional)
2 O Come, All Ye Faithful (Traditional)
3 Nativity Carol (John Rutter)
4 Good King Wenceslas
5 Lullay, My Liking (Gustav Holst)
6 A Babe Is Born (William Mathias)
7 Away in a Manger (William Mathias)
8 Sans Day Carol (Traditional)
9 Quem Vidistis (Francis Poulenc)
10 In Dulci Jubilo (J.S. Bach)
11 Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day (Traditional)
12 Hodie, Christus, Natus Est Nobis (Gregorian Chant)
13 Nowell, Nowell: Out of Your Sleep (Anonymous)
14 Puer Natus Est Nobis (Gregorian Chant)
15 Noel Etranger (Louis Claude Daquin)
16 The Holly and the Ivy (Traditional)
17 I Wonder As I Wander (Appalachian Carol)
18 Ave Rex Angelorum (Peter Maxwell Davies)
19 Masters in This Hall (Traditional)

1996

1994

1 God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
2 Angels We Have Heard on High
3 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
4 How Unto Bethlehem?
5 The Boar's Head Carol
6 O Tannenbaum - Timothy Stalter
7 Masters in This Hall - Donna Carter/Victor Ledbetter
8 My Dancing Day
9 Away in a Manger
10 Good Christian Men, Rejoice
11 The Holly and the Ivy - Frank Timmerman
12 Good King Wenceslas - Katherine Murray/Victor Ledbetter
13 Wassail Song
14 Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
15 Fum, Fum, Fum
16 Mary Had a Baby - Christopher Cock
17 Hacia Belen Va Un Borrico - Victor Ledbetter
18 Christ Was Born on Christmas Day - Katherine Murray/Victor Ledbetter
19 March of the Kings
20 Coventry Carol
21 Deck the Halls
22 The Cherry Tree Carol - Christopher Cock
23 We Three Kings of Orient Are - Ronald Burrichter/Victor Ledbetter/Wayne Baughman
24 Toruo-Louro-Louro!
25 So Blest a Sight - Donna Carter
26 I Saw Three Ships
27 What Child Is This? - Christopher Cock/Victor Ledbetter
28 Susanni
29 In the Bleak Midwinter

Telarc

1998

13 tracks including O Holy Night, Silent Night, The First Noel, Ave Maria, White Christmas, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and more

London

An enchanting companion album to A Victorian Christmas... Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans officially outlawed all festivals, including the ancient Yuletide celebrations so beloved by the people. 

In rediscovering the ancient feast of Christmas, the Victorians searched throughout Europe to find old carols, transporting them across borders and language barriers. Here is a collection of well-known melodies from Provence: Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabella; Burgandy: Patapan; Germany: O, Tannenbaum; France: Wherefore This Great Joy (Angels We Have Heard on High)—along with lesser-known gems from Poland, Alsace, Sicily, Finland, Holland, Austria, Catalonia, Denmark, Galicia and the Basque country.

1	Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabella • Il Est Né, le Divine Enfant
2	Infant Holy• I Saw Three Ships • The Builders
3	At the Nativity• Bethlehem's Stall
4	Fum Fum Fum• Patapan
5	Christ Is Born in Bethlehem • We'll Speak Very Softly
6	O Tannenbaum • Lippai
7	Lovely Is the Dark Blue Sky • Come Hear the Wonderful Tidings
8	In Dulci Jubilo • Shepherd's Cradle Song • Canzone d'i Zampognari
9	Gabriel's Message Does Away • Adam and His Helpmate
10	Masters in This Hall • Wherefore This Great Joy
11	To Bethlehem • The Message
12	As Lately We Watched
13	Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabella (reprise)

Gourd Music

1999

Saydisc

1997

"... Only the stoniest heart would be failed to be captivated by the musicianship, the warmth of tone, the technical excellence and sheer verve of it all..."

Yorkshire Post - December 1997

Composer

Irving Berlin

Composer

Cootes / Gillespie

Composer

Bernard Smith

Composer

Leroy Anderson

Composer

Ure / Geldof

Composer

John Marks

Composer

Howard Blake

Composer

Zacar

Composer

Sergei Prokofiev

Composer

Goff Richards

Composer

John Golland

Composer

Strachan / Paul / Stewart

Composer

James Curnow

Composer

Nelson / Rollins

Composer

Peter Graham

Composer

Simeone / Onorati / Davis

Composer

Jester Joseph Hairston

Composer

Stephen Bulla

Chandos

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%204550

Megha Morganfield's Winter Solstice Carols The Winter Solstice Carols are a collection of 15 holiday songs celebrating the return of the light and hope, renewed for peace and community. Inspired by Mary Daly's book 'Gyn/Ecology', Morganfield rewrote 12 tradition carols, retaining their melodies, but enlivening them with universal transcendent messages. Three of the pieces on this CD are Megha's original works... A collaborative production, the Winter Solstice Carols is a recording with harp, guitar, piano, violin and voice.

Old carols, known and less known, for Celtic harp, steel and nylon string guitars and lute.

1 Merrily On High 2 In Dulci Jubilo 3 The Castle Keep/Masters In This Hall 4 El Noy De La Mare 5 The Gower Wassail 6 Once In Royal David's City 7 Canarios 8 We Three Kings 9 The Hunt's Up 10 Lo, How A Rose Is Blooming 11 People Look East 12 Drive The Cold Winter Away 13 Villancico De Navidad 14 The Wexford Carol 15 Herrick's Carol 16 Here We Come A-Wassailing 17 Un Flambeau Jeanette Isabella 18 Green Grow'th The Holly 19 Blessed Be That Maid Marie

Oak Leaf

1999

1994

Includes God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; O Holy Night Arturo Sandoval and the Canadian Brass Jazz All-Stars; Sleigh Ride Medley; Little Drummer Boy; the Toy Trumpet Canadian Brass, and more. 18 tracks.

1 God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen - The Canadian Brass Jazz All-Stars
2  The Holly and the Ivy
3 Let Merry Bells Ring Round
4 Short Fantasy on a Catalan Carol
5 The Angel Choir and the Tumpeter
6 The Toy Turmpet
7 Angels We Have Heard on High - The Canadian Brass Jazz All-Stars
8 Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Richard Stoltzman
9 O Holy Night - The Canadian Brass Jazz All-Stars
10 Tuba Lullaby
11 Have Yourself a Merry Little Chirstmas
12 Sleigh Ride
13 Parade of Thewooden Soldiers
14 The Little Drummer Boy
15 Sheep May Safely Graze
16 Ave Maria
17 Sweet Songs of Chirstmas
18 Happy Chirstmas - The King's Singers
19 God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen - The Canadian Brass Jazz All-Stars

1996 Harmonia Mundi 1993 Symphony Royale of London, London Symphonic Brass Antiphon: Hodie Christus natus est (chant) Motet: O nobilis nativitas / O mira dei / O decus virgineum / Apparuit Antiphon: Lux de luce (chant) Carol: Alleluya: A nywe werke Hymn: Verbum supernum prodients (chant) Motet: Balaam de quo vaticinans / [Ballam] Carol: Ave Maria Song: Gabriel, fram heven-king Carol: Lullay: I saw a swete semly syght Motet: Prolis eterne genitor / Psallat mater gracie / [Pes] Hymn: Vox clara, ecce, entonat (chant) Rondellus: De supernis sedibus Antiphon: Omnes de Saba (chant) Motet: Paellare gremium / Purissima mater / [Pes] Carol: Lullay, lullay: Als I lay on Yoolis night Responsory: Tria sunt munera (chant) Motet: Orto sole serene / Origo viri / Virga Iesse / [Tenor] Song: Peperit virgo Carol: Ecce quod matura Hymn: A solis ortus cardine Carol: Ter is no rose of swych vertu Antiphon: Videntes stellam (chant) Carol: Nowell: Owt of your slepe aryse 1997 A lively collection of familiar and unusual traditional songs and dances from the middle ages that celebrate the winter season and its associated festivals and holidays, with a focus on Yule and Christmas. Songs from the British Isles, Ireland, Germany, France, Poland and Sweden blend medieval and renaissance tonalities with a festive folk energy that awakens the spirits of past ages. Beth and Barry's robust voices combine with a wide array of rustic and refined musical instruments reaching back to medieval times. 1 Gaudete 2 Patapan 3 Il est ne le divin enfant 4 Christmas Eve 5 Green Growth the Holly 6 Mors Vitae Propitia 7 Quem Pastores 8 The Truth from Above 9 Christchurch Bells 10 Judasz and Wenceslas 11 Journey of the Magi 12 In Dulci Jubilo 13 Personent Hodie 14 Nous Voici dans la Ville 15 Noel Nouvelet 16 Coventry Carol 17 The Holly and the Ivy 18 Hail Mary Full of Grace 19 Sir Christèmas 20 Masters in this Hall 1994 Ancient Noels:An INDIE finalist for "Best Seasonal Album of the Year" ( and listed in BILLBOARD magazine)Ancient carols, Renaissance rhythms and haunting medieval hymns bring to life images of desert landscapes, stone monasteries and the origins of Chrismas. Maggie Sansone on hammered dulcimer with members of Ensemble Galilei: Marcia Diehl on recorder, bowed psaltery and pennywhistle; Jim Brooks on recorder and concertina; Sue Richards on Celtic harp; Carolyn Surrick on treble viol & bass viola da gamba; and special guests Bonnie Rideout on Scottish fiddle, Zan McLeod on cittern and guitar and Ben Harms on hand drums and medieval tambourine. Includes: Basque and Galician carols from Spain, medieval Dutch & French carols, and Renaissance tunes by 16th century master Tilman Susato. 1 Cantiga de Santa Maria, No. 48 2 Gloucestershire Wassail/Tomorrow Will Be My Dancing Day/The Sussex Ca 3 Hoboekentanz/Schafertanz 4 O Bethlehem/Bethlehem's Stall/A Maiden Was Adoring God, the Lord/Grea 5 Bellman's Song 6 Truth Sent from Above 7 Nowell, Nowell: Tidings True/Riu, Riu, Chiu 8 I Must Go Gather Comfort/There Was a Maid So Lovely/When Judah's Loya 9 Cantiga, a Madre Do Que Livrou 10 Whenas the Rose of Jericho/A Year Begins of Joy and Grace/To Us a Lit 11 Donkey's Carol/The Friendly Beasts 12 Here Betwixt Ass and Oxen Mild/The Golden Carol 13 In the Bleak Midwinter 1997 1 Prelude: In Dulci Jubilo 2 Introit: In Dulci Jubilo 3 Processional Hymn: Adeste Fideles 4 Sentences From Scripture And Invocation 5 The First Lesson - Isaiah 35: 1-10 6 Canite Tuba 7 Come Rejoicing, Praises Voicing 8 Ein Kind Ist Uns Geboren 9 Hymn: Personent Hodie 10 The Second Lesson - Luke I: 26-38 11 Ave Maria 12 Mary Had A Baby 13 Riu, Riu, Chiu 14 In The Ending Of The Year 15 The Third Lesson - Luke 2: 1-20 16 In The Bleak Mid-Winter 17 And All In The Morning 18 Sing Lullaby 19 To Us Is Born Immanuel 20 Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head 21 Hymn: Silent Night 22 Prayers And The Lord's Prayer 23 Hymn: Joy To The World 24 Benediction And Choral Amen 25 Postlude: Paean On 'Divinum Mysterium' Label: Gothic 1 Fanfare...O Come, All Ye Faithful - The Bach Choir/Sir David Willcocks 2 Angels From The Realms Of Glory - Kiri Te Kanawa 3 Stille Nacht - The Bach Choir/Sir David Willcocks 4 Ave Maria - Frederica Von Stade 5 Ding, Dong! Merrily On High - The Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge/George Guest 6 The First Nowell - The Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge/George Guest 7 O Holy Night - Luciano Pavarotti 8 Away In A Manger - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury 9 God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen - The Choir Of King's College, CambridgeStephen Cleobury 10 Joy To The World - Joan Sutherland 11 The Virgin's Slumber Song - Joan Sutherland 12 Once In Royal David's City - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury 13 The Holly And The Ivy - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury 14 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - Leontyne Pryce 15 In Dulci Jubilo - The Bach Choir/Sir David Willcocks 16 Mille Cherubini In Coro - Luciano Pavarotti 17 Shepherd's Farewell - St. Anthony Singers 18 While Shepherds Watched - The Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge/George Guest 19 Wiegenlied - Renata Tebaldi 20 On Christmas Night - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury 21 Ave Maria - Kiri Te Kanawa 22 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing...Fanfare - The Bach Choir/Sir David Willcocks Label: London 1998 Early Music New York's program of seasonal repertoire is a Sold-Out holiday tradition. Recorded in the great Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York City, A Medieval Christmas features lyric songs - sacred and secular - by Hildegard von Bingen, Perotin, von Reuenthal and anonymous composers from the schools of Notre Dame and St. Martial - gloriously sung and deftly played by EM/NY's Artists in Residence. Angelus ad virginem (the song Chaucer referred to in The Canterbury Tales ), angelic Hildegard chant, earthy 13th-century Italian laude and spirited Spanish cantigas illuminate a treasury of joyous celebration. Artists: John Alston - bass; Marshall Coid - countertenor, vielle; Todd Frizzell - tenor, symphonia; Wayne Hankin - winds, tenor; Wolodymyr Smishkewych - tenor, percussion; Jon Szabo - baritone, vielle 1 Rex Virginum Amator - New York's Ensemble For Early Music 2 Rex virginum amator 3 "Nota" 4 Angelus ad virginem 5 Perotin, c.1200: Beata viscera 6 Saint Martial School, late 11th century: Annus Novus in gaudio 7 Hildegard von Bingen, 1098-1179: "De Innocentibus" 8 Niedhart von Reuenthal, c. 1190-c.1240: "Minnesang" 9 Notre Dame School, c.1200: Notre Dame School, c.1200 10 Exultemus et letemur/Gaudens in Domino 11 Alfonso el Sabio, 1221-1284: Cantigas de Santa Maria-Galicia: Como poden, Muit'amar, Tan beeyta, Maravillosos 12 Llibre Vermell, 14th century: Polorum regina-Catalonia 13 Notre Dame School, c.1200: In natali summi Regis 14 Orientis partibus 15 Verbum patris humanatur 16 Late 13-14th centuries: Laude novella 17 Verbus caro factum est 18 Verbum patris hodie 19 "Alleluya" 20 Stella nuova 21 "Saltarello" 1999 Composer arr. D. Willcocks John Wade Composer arr. D. Willcocks Traditional Composer arr. A Carter French Traditional Composer Sir David Willcocks Composer Reginald Jacques Composer John Rutter Composer arr. D. Willcocks Piae Cantiones Composer arr. D. Willcocks Henry John Gauntlett Composer William Mathias Composer arr. D. Willcocks Franz Xaver Gruber Composer arr. D. Willcocks James Pierpont Composer arr. D. Willcocks Felix Mendelssohn Chandos https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%206671

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