Yulefest!: Mix of Old and New, Choir of Trinity College Is Must for your Christmas Music Collection
by Ray Rojas
The last carol recording from the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge I bought was “Carols from Trinity.” The version of I have was a two-disc set of carols probably a mix of recordings from the two previous “Carols from Trinity” (1990, 1993 and 1997 on Conifer) and “A Child is Born” 1993 Classics.
So hearing Yulefest!, the choir’s newest Christmas recording, it was quite a change in terms of maintaining a traditional carol repertory. However, this recording ventures into the world of American Christmas songs from the World War II and post-War era maintaining at the same time excelling in the traditional carols.
This time, under the direction of Stephen Layton, the choirs takes us in to the cold winter full of waiting, joy, home longing, and memory. This will be Layton’s second Christmas recording with Trinity, the first being Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, also on Hyperion.
What’s special about this recording is that while maintaining the tradition, it does the contemporary, some in admittedly Swingle Singer’s style. Although I say contemporary, “Jingle Bells” was written in the 1900s, but even this song qualifies it, with a wink of eye, as a carol. This arraignment by Ben Parry is original and well performed here. This arraignment was in fact, written for the Swingle Singers, here expanded for full choir. Another Swingle connection is seen in “Silent Night,” in which an arrangement is of Jonathan Rathbone, a former Swingle Singer. Rathbone gives the almost 200-year old carol to mix of 20th Century and tradition.
Although commonly associated with the 20th Century, “Jingle Bells” was actually written in the 19th Century as a Thanksgiving song. The version on this album is by Ben Parry, originally written for The Swingle Singers.
Ted Trader, who writes the liner notes, says that Trinity’s performance of “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Gustav Holst, is given an “American a capella feel” with an an arrangement by Ola Gjeilo. Old World or New, the arrangement is simply beautiful bringing the dark cold of winter to life.
As mentioned before, there are several 20th Century pop pieces including Mel Torme’s “Christmas Song” and “White Christmas.” Torme’s classic is arranged by Peter Gritton and “White Christmas” by Jeremy Davies. Also 20th Century, John Rutter’s nostalgia piece “The Very Best Time of the Year” sets the Christmas mood for family gatherings and Christmas dinner. The arrangement is by Owen Park. Park’s original composition of “Shepard’s Cradle Song” admittedly pays tribute to Rutter’s style with solos by Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano) and Faith Waddell (soprano).
Park also lends an arrangement of “Have yourself a merry Little Christmas,” a song originally from the musical “Meet Me in St. Louis.” This is a classic American Christmas songs that Trinity shows can be turned into choral showstoppers without the cheese that other pop Christmas classics usually receive when arranged for choir. I first heard Park’s arrangement of “Tomorrow shall be my Dancing Day” in the choir’s Advent Carol Service in 2013 via live feed from Cambridge. It has since gained a popular following and is now performed and heard in many Advent and Carol services.
The now widely performed Advent tune, “E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come” performed here by Trinity, shows why this modern carols has gain such a following. The longing for the Lord’s coming can still be felt. Released by American composer Pau Menz in 1953, the years have not tarnished the beauty of this motet and Trinity excels in its performances, makes us forget that the text is from the sometimes depressing Book of Revelations. Paul Menz wife, Ruth Mentz wrote the lyrics when their son was critically ill.
Another American composer, James Bassi, has his “Quem pastores laudavere” performed.
Taking us back to the time of Michael Praetorius (1571-1621), Trinity performs Erling Penderson’s arrangement of “Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen A great and mighty wonder”
Orla Gello has Scanenavian roots, but his is not the only one on this recording. Trinity takes us to Sweden for “The virgin and child” based on a Swedish folk song, here arranged by Gunnar Eriksson (Note 1). There is also Swedish carol Ave maris stella. Two more Swedish songs are included. They are “The Star” by Harald Sventelius (1902-1996), arr. Hans-Ola Ericsson (b1958) and “Peace, peace” by Gustaf Nordqvist (1886-1949). “Peace, Peace” was composed by Gustaf Nordqvist (1886-1949) which is another exploration of a Swedish song, sung in English. Nordqvist if most famous for writing to music for the Swedish carol “Jul, jul, strålande jul.” The arrangement is by Hans-Ola Erickson. In “The Star,” the solos are sung eloquently by sopranos Anna Cavaliero and Julie St. Clair. In “The Star,” you can hear the song ascend through the cathedral.
An arrangement by Reginald Jacques of “Away in a Manger” is based on a French folk song. “How are is Bethlehem,” by Bertie Rice is a close-harmony piece.
Most peculiar is “Peace, Peace” by Gustaf Nordqvist (1886-1949) which is another exploration of a Swedish song, sung in English. The arrangement is by Hans-Ola Eickson and solos are sung by sopranos Anna Cavaliero and Julie St. Clair.
“O Heavenly Word,” arranged here by Michael Bojesen, is a Danish folk song said to be very popular in Denmark. The last carol is “The Oxen” by Jonathan Rathbone. The words are taken from Thomas Hardy.
Would I play this on Christmas Eve for the family?: Most definitely.
Trinity's Christmas CD should be in every Christmas music collection.
Note 1 According to the Bach Cantata Website, Eriksson: Gunnar Eriksson teaches choir and ensemble conducting at the State College of Music and the State Opera College at the University of Göteborg, in Sweden’s second-largest city. He founded and directs the Rilke Ensemble, a twelve-voice mixed ensemble named “Choir of the Year” in 2004 by the Swedish Choral Centre. Gunnar Eriksson is also the leader of the Göteborg Chamber Choir, which has existed for over 25 years and has recorded some 20 albums and made several tours around the world. He spends most of his spare time traveling around the world conducting and teaching choirs and their leaders.
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Eriksson-Gunnar.htm
Tracks:
Jingle bells
Silent night
In the bleak mid-winder
White Christmas
The very best time of the year
Shepherd’s cradle song
The Christmas Song
A great and mighty wonder
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come
Quem pastores laudevere
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
The virgin and child
Away in a Manger
Ave maris stella
How far is Bethlehem?
The star
Peace, Peace
Sleigh ride
O heavenly word
The oxen
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