Christmas Recordings
Updated: Jan. 4, 2025
Not conclusive or exhaustive, but below is a list of classical, sacred, and choral music recording that came out in 2018. Did we miss yours? Let us know by emailing us at christmascarolblog@gmail.com.
The following text are descriptions and not reviews, although a description may quote a review.
Visit us on Facebook @carolsofchristmas and on Instagram at carols_of_christmas.
Not conclusive or exhaustive, but below is a list of classical, sacred, and choral music recording that came out in 2018. Did we miss yours? Let us know by emailing us at christmascarolblog@gmail.com.
The following text are descriptions and not reviews, although a description may quote a review.
Alphabetized by album title.
Geoffrey Webber and his choir have developed a reputation for exploring the unusual, and this album is no exception. A number of traditional French melodies have been adapted over the years to become familiar Christmas fare in English-speaking lands; on this recording, though, they are heard in their original French arrangements, and accompanied by the French-style organ in the chapel of Exeter College, Oxford, with its pungent reeds and powerful string stops.
The resulting Romantic fervour is an aspect of Christmas that is sometimes lost amid the Anglo-Saxon tradition of Christmas trees and domestic bliss, and it gives fresh context and meaning to beloved music from Berlioz and his successors.
https://www.delphianrecords.com/products/dcd34197?_pos=18&_sid=433bd0c2b&_ss=r
This imaginatively-curated, generously-filled Christmas package is sure to find favor during this and future holiday seasons.
Why? Because it packs in every conceivable carol, tune, choral work or song in timeless performances from the greatest artists in the world: singers of immense communicative gifts including Cecilia Bartoli, Bryn Terfel, Renée Fleming and Luciano Pavarotti to name but four. It truly offers something of every Christmas mind, spirit, and looks fantastic.
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
A Staple of the British choral world, the Advent service from St John's College, Cambridge is broadcast on BBC Radio 3 every year, and features a variety of new commissions alongside much-loved favorites from the festive season. This album of live recordings features performances by the choir from their four most recent services from 2014-17. The Choir of St John s College, Cambridge (link is external) is one of the finest collegiate choirs in the world known and loved by millions from its broadcasts, concert tours and over 90 recordings. Founded in the 1670s, the Choir is known for its rich, warm and distinctive sound, its expressive interpretations and its ability to sing in a variety of styles. Alongside this discipline, the Choir is particularly proud of its happy, relaxed and mutually supportive atmosphere. The Choir is directed by Andrew Nethsingha following in a long line of eminent Directors of Music, recently Dr George Guest, Dr Christopher Robinson and Dr David Hill.
Label: Signum Classics
Label: Signum Classics
Described as a `sacred trilogy', Berlioz's oratorio L'enfance du Christ began as a short piece called Shepherds' Farewell. It tells the story of the birth of Jesus and the journey of the Holy Family as they escape Bethlehem and head across Egypt to the city of Saïs. Unlike many of the composer's more flamboyant works, it is an exquisite and gentle composition scored for relatively small forces.
Label: LSO Live
| 1 | Christe Redemptor (Live) |
| 2 | Lapsed Caicki Laolacatt (Arr. By Ross w. Duffin) [Live] |
| 3 | Iloidcam Ja Reimuidcam (Arr. By Ross w. Duffin) [Live] |
| 4 | Mekletaja Cels (The Christmas Rose) [Live] |
| 5 | There Is a Flower (Live) |
| 6 | Magi Veniunt Ab Oriente (Live) |
| 7 | Ies8S Ahatonnia (The Huron Carol) (Arr. By Ross w. Duffin) [Live] |
| 8 | Joseph K8Riritenes (Joseph Est Bien Marie) (Arr. By Ross w. Duffin) [Live] |
| 9 | 8I8 Satannitenrascon (Conditor Alme Siderum) (Arr. By Ross w. Duffin) [Live] |
| 10 | O Nuit! (Arr. By Ross w. Duffin) [Live] |
| 11 | Gaudete in Domino (Live) |
| 12 | Sa Qui Turo Zente Pleta (Live) |
| 13 | Mi Yemalel (Arr. By Ross w. Duffin) [Live] |
| 14 | Ma'oz Tzur Yeshu'ati (Arr. By Ross w. Duffin) [Live] |
| 15 | Die Zwolf Heiligen Zahlen (Arr. By Ross w. Duffin) [Live] |
| 16 | The Twelve Days of Christmas (Arr. By Ian Humphries) [Live] |
| 17 | Jingle Bells (Arr. By Ben Parry) [Live] |
Dylan Thomas’ quintessential Christmastime story read by Welshman Melville Jones and accompanied by carols.
Ar Hyd y Nos – arr. David Archer
The Holly and the Ivy – arr. Ola Gjeilo
Snow – Stephen Chatman
Caroling, Caroling – Alfred Burt
Ah, Bleak and Chill the Wintry Wind – Alfred Burt
We’ll Dress the House – Alfred Burt
Yule-tide Fires – Diane Loomer
O Magnum Mysterium – Thomas Gonder
Suo Gân – arr. David Archer
The Serving Girl’s Holiday – Denis Donnelly
River arr. Sebastian – Joni Mitchell, arr. Sebastian Rilton & Peter Sydén
Away in a Manger – arr. Ola Gjeilo
The Holly and the Ivy – arr. Ola Gjeilo
Snow – Stephen Chatman
Caroling, Caroling – Alfred Burt
Ah, Bleak and Chill the Wintry Wind – Alfred Burt
We’ll Dress the House – Alfred Burt
Yule-tide Fires – Diane Loomer
O Magnum Mysterium – Thomas Gonder
Suo Gân – arr. David Archer
The Serving Girl’s Holiday – Denis Donnelly
River arr. Sebastian – Joni Mitchell, arr. Sebastian Rilton & Peter Sydén
Away in a Manger – arr. Ola Gjeilo
Arturo Sandoval's trumpet raises our spirits and gladdens our hearts as we celebrate Christmas. His musical expression of unbridled joy and goodwill calls us to embrace the love, charity and reconciliation at the heart of this blessed season. Arturo Sandoval's Christmas at Notre Dame is sure to become a holiday favorite.
--Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President of the University of Notre Dame
Christmas at the Movies is a dazzling new album of movie music which beautifully captures the holiday spirit. The collection spans almost 80 years offering something special for all the family, from timeless classics 'The Wizard of Oz', 'White Christmas' and 'Home Alone' through to contemporary Christmas blockbusters 'Frozen' and 'Elf'.
Newly recorded arrangements with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra provide the perfect festive soundtrack for essential holiday preparations - decorating the tree, baking mince pies, wrapping the presents and more! Plus one track with multi-million streaming artist and YouTube sensation - The Piano Guys!
This one was release in January 2019.
The British vocal ensemble Voces8 is proud to inspire people through
music and share the joy of singing. Touring extensively throughout
Europe, North America and Asia, the group performs repertoire from
Renaissance polyphony to contemporary commissions and arrangements;
versatility and a celebration of diverse musical expression is central
to the ensemble's performance ethos.
Voces8 has performed at venues such
as the Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall,
Bridgewater Hall - Manchester, Elbphilharmonie - Hamburg, Cité de la
Musique - Paris, Vienna Konzerthaus, Tokyo Opera City, National Centre
for the Performing Arts - Beijing, Shanghai Concert Hall and Mariinsky
Theatre Concert Hall. Artistic collaborators have included the Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra, period ensembles Florilegium, L'Arpeggiata and
La Folia Barockorchester, and violinist/artistic director Hugo Ticciati.
This season they will perform with baroque violinist Rachel Podger with
a new innovative project called Guardian Angel. In the 2017/18 Season
the ensemble will be touring Europe extensively, returning to Russia,
and making three tours to the USA; they will also make debut tours to
Singapore and Mexico. With an ongoing programme of recordings and live
broadcasts, Voces8 is heard regularly on international television and
radio.
The ensemble is a Decca Classics artist and has released
acclaimed recordings that have been at the top of the classical charts.
Voces8 has premiered commissions from Roxanna Panufnik, Alexander
Levine, Alec Roth, Ben Parry, Ola Gjeilo, Philip Stopford and Thomas
Hewitt Jones. The group also performs bespoke arrangements written by
arranger-in-residence, Jim Clements.
37th annual Christmas at Luther: Every Voice in Concert Ring
Add this to your collection today!1. Introit: Every Voice In Concert Ring
Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem
2. I. Urah, Hanevel!
3. Troika (From Lieutenant Kije Suite, Op. 60)
4. Hvalite Imia Ghospodne (From All Night Vigil, Op 37)
5. Angels From The Realms Of Glory
6. Laudamus Te (From Gloria)
7. Ring Out!
8. Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)
9. In This Place
10. De Mornin’ Come
11. Marche (From Nutcracker Suite, No 1, Op. 71A)
12. III. Gloria In Excelsis Deo (From Christmas Cantata)
13. Neol Nouvelet
14. Go! Tell It!
15. I Want To Walk As A Child Of The Light
16.Carillon On A Ukranian Bell Carol
17. O Jul Med Din Glede
18. One Sweet Little Baby
19. Of The Father’s Love Begotten
20. XVI. Epilogue (From Hodie: A Cantata For Christmas)
New Classical Tracks: Cally Banham and Cortango get to the heart of the holiday season.
Interview with Julie Amacher
Classical MPR
Dec 19, 2018
https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2018/12/19/new-classical-tracks-cally-banham-and-cortango-get-to-the-heart-of-the-holiday-season
The monks of Solesmes celebrate the birth of Jesus at Vigils, Midnight
Mass, and the Mass of the Day with Gregorian Chant.
In Christmas- The
Night Office Vigils the monks of Solesmes celebrate the birth of Jesus
at the same time of night he was born in Bethlehem. In Christmas-
Midnight Mass and Mass of the Day, Introits, Graduals, Alleluias,
Offertories, Communions, Responses, Sequences, Hymns, and Tropes are
featured. Since 1833, the research and study of Gregorian Chant by the
Monks of the Abbey of St. Peter in Solesmes, France, has focused on
making this sung form of prayer the finest possible offering for God, to
whom it is addressed six times a day at the Abbey. Paraclete Press
offers a superb list of outstanding Christian music which is
magnificently performed by the monks of Solesmes.
Each of these highly
recommended exceptional recordings is flawlessly produced and showcases
centuries of devotions, chants,
celebrations, and the glorification of
God. (Reviewers Bookwatch)
Label: Paraclete Press
Label: HORTUS
2018 holiday release. The Grammy Award-winning, multiple Emmy Award
winning, all-volunteer Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of 360 men and
women who join their talents to create their trademark, instantly
recognizable sound.
They are accompanied by the Orchestra at Temple
Square, a 150-member symphony, and the Bells on Temple Square, a
32-member handbell choir that are both likewise all volunteer. Hugh
Bonneville is best known to American audiences for his role as Robert,
Earl of Grantham, in ITV/PBS Masterpiece's global hit Downton Abbey, for
which he received a Golden Globe. His many film credits include Notting
Hill, Iris, The Monuments Men, and the two Paddington movies.
One of
Broadway's most accomplished performers, Sutton Foster has starred in 11
Broadway shows including her Tony-winning roles in Anything Goes and
Thoroughly Modern Millie, as well as originating roles in The Drowsy
Chaperone, Young Frankenstein, and Shrek the Musical. On TV, Foster
stars as Liza in the critically-acclaimed TV Land comedy series Younger,
and previously starred in Bunheads.
Label: Mormon Tabernacle
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Riemuitkaamme! is an imaginative and unconventional selection of choral music associated with Christmas as it is celebrated in Finland.
Several of the pieces are by Finnish composers – Sibelius, Rautavaara and Madetoja, to name a few – while others have become part of the Christmas traditions of the country despite their international background.
Among these Berlioz’ The Shepherds’ Farewell and Tchaikovsky’s Christ, when a Child… are quite late additions compared to the medieval hymns "Puer natus in Bethlehem," "Ecce novum gaudium," and "Angelus emittitur."
All three of these were included in the collection Piae cantiones from 1582, the oldest Finnish music publication. Here, they are performed in settings by various composers from different countries and eras – forming a kind of soundtrack of Christmases past and present, distant and close. Contemporary music forms an important part of the activities of the Helsinki Chamber Choir and Nils Schweckendiek, and true to form, the team includes a world premiere recording in their celebrations: Aattoilta, by the Canadian-born composer Matthew Whittall.
Label: Bis
The experimental female vocal trio Juice Vocal Ensemble joins Resonus
Classics for this unique and innovative collection of seasonal and
winter music for upper voices.
Formed around works written specially for
Juice in a call for scores on a wintry theme, the programme of world
premiere recordings also contains new works and arrangements by the
groups three members as well as pieces from Simon Speare, Tarik ORegan,
Bernard Hughes David Breslin, and a new commission from composer Emily
Hall.
Juice are at the forefront of the UKs experimental/classical
scene, performing new vocal music which draws on classical, world music,
jazz, folk, pop, improvisation, and theatre.
They have been featured on
BBC Radio 4s Womans Hour, BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. Juice love
experimenting with various art forms and cross-collaboration: they have
had their music choreographed by Maurice Causey, have devised their own
live vocal score to the 1916 film The Danger Girl, have performed live
for a London College of Fashion Show, and have worked with
internationally renowned beatboxers Shlomo and Beardyman. All members
are experienced and passionate music educators.
Label: Resonus Classics
Label: Mark Records
With an outstanding solo quartet and a great chorus and orchestra, Davis
leads a sterling performance that challenges the supremacy of his 1966
Philips recording of Messiah.
Davis leads a dramatic performance;
the famous "Hallelujah" chorus appropriately grand, the final "Amen"
bristling with brazen energy, both sung with extraordinary tonal
coloring and precise articulation by the chorus, which also shines in a
lithe "He shall purify" and a vividly virtuoso "For unto us a child is
born."
Soprano Susan Gritton's solos are a delight, whether in the
measured "Behold, a virgin shall conceive" or her exuberant "Rejoice
greatly." The vocal purity of her "I know my redeemer liveth" makes this
track a highlight. Alto Sara Mingardo's darker tones are especially
moving in her arias and dramatic in "He was despised."
The men are
almost as good; Alistair Miles sonorous in the bass arias and Mark
Padmore recovering nicely after a somewhat mannered "Evr'y valley."
The
LSO is in excellent form too, the strings expressive in the orchestral
interludes and the brass shining brightly in the big choruses of Part
III, where the tympani thwacks are startling in their power. --Dan Davis
Label: LSO Live (UK)
This new release will add
flair to your holiday season. A part of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music
at the University of Georgia, the UGA Flute Studio is composed of
undergraduate and graduate level students from across the country and
abroad.
Under the guidance and direction of Professor Angela Jones-Reus,
the studio is a diverse, yet close-knit group that cultivates a warm,
supportive atmosphere and encourages creativity, experimentation and
growth. Students participate in the multitude of learning experiences
offered through the flute studies program, including weekly private
lessons, participation in weekly studio class, recitals, competitions
and chamber groups.
A community of ambitious, dedicated and fun-loving
students, the UGA Flute
Studio prides itself on being an environment that fosters musical,
personal and collaborative excellence, preparing students for a
successful entrance into the professional world.
Label: Mark Records
With a TV and radio audience of millions, the annual broadcast of the
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is an essential Christmas tradition
for families all over the world.
The debut album from the Choir of
King's College, Cambridge's own label features a specially recorded
performance of this evergreen favorite that includes many of the most
well-known Christmas carols as well as new commissions from some of
today's most popular composers.
The choir's performance faithfully
recreates the service, opening with a lone treble singing "Once in royal
David's City" and closing with a rousing chorus of "Hark the herald angels
sing."
Each year, the choir's Director of Music Stephen Cleobury
commissions a new carol, several of which are included on this album.
In
addition, John Rutter was commissioned to write a new carol "All bells
in paradise" especially for this album. The Choir of King's College,
Cambridge is one of the world's foremost choirs.
It owes its existence
to King Henry VI, who envisaged the daily singing of services in his
magnificent chapel. The choir has been a breeding ground for numerous
professional singers, many of whom will appear on forthcoming recordings
from the new label.
Label: King's College
Label: Jade Records
Following on from the
success of their 2014 release, 'After Hours', which topped the iTunes
Classical Charts in June 2014, for their latest album on the college’s
own label, the King’s Men showcase the lighter side of their seasonal
repertoire, performing a mixture of Christmas tunes you won’t be hearing
in 'Nine Lessons and Carols' any time soon.
Highlights include traditional favourites such as “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” alongside Pat Dunachie (now first alto in the King’s Singers) channelling Mariah Carey on “All I want for Christmas is You” and Keith Robert’s jocular arrangement of “12 Days of Christmas”.
Highlights include traditional favourites such as “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” alongside Pat Dunachie (now first alto in the King’s Singers) channelling Mariah Carey on “All I want for Christmas is You” and Keith Robert’s jocular arrangement of “12 Days of Christmas”.
Unlike many close-harmony groups, the King’s Men record together, balancing their voices acoustically instead of tracking each voice individually.
What this approach sacrifices in precision, it more than
makes up for in musical cohesion.
Whether you’re dreaming of a white
Christmas, drowning in Christmas cards, waiting to catch a glimpse of
Rudolph’s red nose or simply wondering when all of those lords will stop
a-leaping all over your lawn, this is an essential addition to your
Christmas playlist.
The King’s Men ensemble have appeared on prime-time television, including BBC’s The One Show and regularly promote their releases in-store and online.
The King’s Men ensemble have appeared on prime-time television, including BBC’s The One Show and regularly promote their releases in-store and online.
Trailers for their previous release, 'After Hours',
have proved incredibly popular, receiving over 40,000 views on their
YouTube channel, and 'Twelve Days of Christmas' will receive similarly
strong support.
Bach left a great number of works dedicated to the feast of Christmas that differ in nature, function and style, particularly suited to the organ and often returning to the same chorale many times.
Carmen McRae; Marcus Roberts,
(Pianist); Roy Hargrove; Hilton Ruiz; Vanessa Rubin; Antonio Hart; Christopher Hollyday; John Hicks; Steve Lacy; Steve Coleman
|
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! (Roberts) --
God rest ye merry gentlemen (Hargrove) --
Santa Claus is comin' to town (Ruiz) --
Have yourself a merry little Christmas (Rubin) --
Winter wonderland (Hart) --
White Christmas (Hollyday) --
Jingle blues (Hicks) --
The Christmas song (McRae) --
Jingle bell rock (Hargrove) --
Joy to the world (Hollyday) --
A merrier Christmas (Lacy) --
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (Ruiz) --
Little drummer boy (Coleman) --
Silent night (Roberts).
God rest ye merry gentlemen (Hargrove) --
Santa Claus is comin' to town (Ruiz) --
Have yourself a merry little Christmas (Rubin) --
Winter wonderland (Hart) --
White Christmas (Hollyday) --
Jingle blues (Hicks) --
The Christmas song (McRae) --
Jingle bell rock (Hargrove) --
Joy to the world (Hollyday) --
A merrier Christmas (Lacy) --
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (Ruiz) --
Little drummer boy (Coleman) --
Silent night (Roberts).
Label: SONY MASTERWORKS
1991 Release
http://www.bach-trompeten-muc.de/cds/
No information
Letizia Romiti studied at Milan Cathedral and took master classes with Ton Koopman, Kenneth Gilbert and Anton Heiler. She has given recitals all over Europe, contributes writings to musical journals and newspapers and has previously made recordings for Tactus.
She is now resident artistic consultant for the Alessandria province, organising concerts on historic organs in this area.
Preludio e Fuga in Do maggiore BWV531
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV659
In dulci jubilo BWV729
Pastorale in Fa (Pastorella) Das alte Jahre vergangen ist BWV614
In dir ist Freude BWV615
Variazioni Canoniche
Label: ELEGIA
In 1677 Johann Schelle became the music director at the Church of St. Thomas in Leipzig, succeeding his teacher Sebastian Knupfer and preceding Johann Kuhnau in this post.
Label: ELEGIA
The UK has one of the most advanced and ancient traditions of the great
European choral culture.
Its roots lie in the Reformation period with
the birth of Cathedral Music, choral music written for the services of
the cathedrals.
The first evidence of a Chapel Royal, a group of
musicians mainly singers, intended for the liturgical service of the
king of England, dates back to 1135.
It was reconstituted in 1349 and in
the second half of the century. XV singers included 27 adults and 10
children directed by the Master of the Children and represents the first
official evidence of the presence of a children's choir in complex
professional music.
The treble voice choir Artemusica was founded in
2002 in Valperga and has received first prizes and special awards in the
national and international choral competitions under the directorship
of Debora Bria. Details and full texts in the booklet [English and
Italian]
Label: ELEGIA
No description
Japanese issues. No description. Appears to be a reissues of a London recording.
Label: Solitudes
No description available.
Making their first solo recording under new Director of Music, David
Stevens, this much improved choir presents an interesting addition to
the catalogue with a programme of unaccompanied carols.
Recorded in St.
Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, the generous acoustic is ideal for this
varied programme and an ideal Christmas CD for those wishing to acquire
something different.
Label: Priory Records
Label: Crimsonic
Import
His own pupils included important composers like Johann Christoph Graupner, Johann David Heinichen, Reinhard Keiser, Johann Theodor Roemhildt and Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow. Schelle is known to have produced more than 180 compositions, of which unfortunately only 48 have survived.
His importance lies mainly in his chorale cantatas and in the combination of Biblical texts and freely written sacred poetry he employed in his more advanced sacred concertos- an early form of what would later become the Lutheran church cantata.
The present release gathers together Schelles known compositions for Advent and Christmas. In doing so it also sheds light on the musical role of the St. Thomas Choir in Leipzigs musical culture during the final third of the 17th century.
Pianist Alexandra Dariescu presents a reimagining of the classic ballet tale of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, with Alex herself taking the role of Clara, now a little girl longing to fulfil her dream of becoming a pianist.
The beauty of Kings Brass performing this illustrious Christmas Music with contemporary flair is astounding!
CHRISTMAS JOY! Spread by Tim Zimmerman and The King's Brass!
Label: Cpo Records
Label: CPO
Label: Naxos
www.naxos.com
The London-based chamber choir Sonoro, with conductor Neil Ferris,
follow up their acclaimed debut album with an absorbing and characterful
programme of works for Christmas.
Striking a balance between new compositions, re-setting of familiar
texts and new arrangements of familiar tunes, topped off with a few
festive favourites, Sonoro bring their distinctive warm and rounded tone
to the festive season.
'There's stillness and great joy in this standout festive offering from London's young choir'
BBC Music Magazine (5 stars, Christmas Choice)
'For a refreshing take on Christmas music, this year's standout recording is Christmas With Sonoro'
The Observer
Label: Resonus Classics
Label: BR Klassics
Reissue of a vinyl.
Label: DECCA
Pianist Alexandra Dariescu presents a reimagining of the classic ballet tale of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, with Alex herself taking the role of Clara, now a little girl longing to fulfil her dream of becoming a pianist.
Alexandra performs extracts from the ballet in transcriptions by luminaries including Mikhail Pletnev and Percy Grainger, interspersed with narration from TV presenter Lindsey Russell in a new version of the story by Jessica Duchen.
The lavish book-bound release includes illustrations by Adam Smith, adapted from Yeast Culture’s cutting-edge digital animation that accompanies the show’s live performances.
1. Scene arr Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
2. Miniature Overture arr Stepan Esipoff
3. Opening Act One arr Gavin Sutherland
4. March arr Mikhail Pletnev
5. The Battle arr Gavin Sutherland / Pas de Deux in the Snow arr Mikhail Pletnev
6. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy arr Mikhail Pletnev
7. Tarantella arr Mikhail Pletnev
8. Arabian Dance arr Stepan Esipoff
9. Russian Dance (Trepak) arr Mikhail Pletnev
10. Chinese Dance arr Mikhail Pletnev
11. Dance of the Reed Flutes arr Stepan Esipoff
12. Pas de Deux arr Mikhail Pletnev
13. Waltz of the Flowers arr Percy Grainger
14. Finale Act Two arr Gavin Sutherland
https://signumrecords.com/product/the-nutcracker-i/SIGCD542/
The lavish book-bound release includes illustrations by Adam Smith, adapted from Yeast Culture’s cutting-edge digital animation that accompanies the show’s live performances.
1. Scene arr Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
2. Miniature Overture arr Stepan Esipoff
3. Opening Act One arr Gavin Sutherland
4. March arr Mikhail Pletnev
5. The Battle arr Gavin Sutherland / Pas de Deux in the Snow arr Mikhail Pletnev
6. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy arr Mikhail Pletnev
7. Tarantella arr Mikhail Pletnev
8. Arabian Dance arr Stepan Esipoff
9. Russian Dance (Trepak) arr Mikhail Pletnev
10. Chinese Dance arr Mikhail Pletnev
11. Dance of the Reed Flutes arr Stepan Esipoff
12. Pas de Deux arr Mikhail Pletnev
13. Waltz of the Flowers arr Percy Grainger
14. Finale Act Two arr Gavin Sutherland
https://signumrecords.com/product/the-nutcracker-i/SIGCD542/
Hammered Dulcimer Christmas: Vol. II features full acoustic arrangements
of 14 season musical essentials. The sound of the hammered dulcimer
blends flawlessly with Celtic harp, strings, flute, and percussion to
capture every dimension of the holiday spirit.
"What an enjoyable listening experience! It has just the right amount of
everything. It is stunning! It causes the listener to feel the
sensational joy of the Christmas season, while appreciating the
interaction of the instruments as they exchange the melodies,
countermelodies and harmonies from one to the other.
The arrangements
are inventive and sensitive and the over all sound is balanced and well
blended, and one will have a heightened awareness of the technical
precision with which the musicians are playing and will be amazed by
what a good mix it is... no instrument dominates, but each one shines at
the right time, then fades into the background to support the ensemble
The hammered dulcimer, as usual with Joshua, is
impeccable...stylistically pushing the boundaries of the capabilities of
this instrument. And what an unexpected pleasure it is to hear his
wife, Stephanie, on Celtic harp, particularly on "I Wonder as I Wander." "Ding Dong Merrily/Good King Wenceslas" as a dulcimer solo was perfect for
the opener with its mixed rhythms and very effective contrasts between
sustain and the damper pedal. White Christmas had no help from any other
instruments as the dulcimer was strong enough alone, using rich,
extraordinary arpeggios and melodic breaks with unexpected chromatic
touches.
The dulcimer solos are interspersed between the rich layers of
great ensemble work, but "The First Noel" stands above the others as the
virtual climax of the solo listening experience. The dynamic range is
unsurpassed as is the effective use of every octave of the melodic range
of the instrument.
The arrangements are all fresh and inventive and
exceptionally compelling. Throughout the entire listening experience the
flute is played so sweetly and sensitively, displaying much feeling!
Amy s playing is smooth, warm and controlled.
The interplay between the
flute and the rest of the ensemble was especially captivating in "Coventry Carol" ... the flute doesn't dominate the performance but she
doesn't hesitate to step up with skill and style.
Her style and sound
pair well with hammered dulcimer. The strings do their part to be the
glue that holds the arrangements together and the bells and percussion
were stimulating...especially on "Patapan."
The interplay between the
instruments on "Sugar Plum Fairy" is unusually fascinating and
stimulating.
While every piece increases the joyous sensations that
erupt, some might say "God Rest Ye Merry/Sing We Now" is the climactic
point. It is very well orchestrated with driving rhythms and background
chords that will leave you breathless.
"It Came Upon A Midnight, Clear" was unconventional in its harmonies, but what a pleasant break from the
expected! But, just between you and me...I won t need to listen to any
other Christmas music this year. To put it another way, this Christmas
album is at the top of my list. I m going to encourage all of my
students to get it! Thanks for sharing your beautiful music." --Peggy
Carter
Following The Sixteens hugely successful album, Song of the Nativity,
which featured Christmas music from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries,
this new seasonal offering explores a stunning selection of festive
works from the Renaissance.
The Sixteen captures the joy and sincerity
of the most wonderful of seasons, from the joyous simplicity of
plainsong chants "Resonemus laudibus" and "Veni, veni Emmanuel" to the
shining purity of Lassus polyphonic "Videntes stellam Magi" and Byrds
jubilant "This day Christ was born."
This album provides a perfect
alternative to traditional carols for those looking for something a
little different at Christmas.
The Sixteen gives a masterclass in the
art of unaccompanied singing, and in close emotional engagement with the
pieces chosen It puts the music front and centre, in this beautifully
realized Christmas sequence. (BBC Music Magazine)
Label: Cora
No description.
CHRISTMAS JOY! Spread by Tim Zimmerman and The King's Brass!
Tim Zimmerman and the King's Brass with organist Samuel Metzger provide innovative worship for young and old alike through the ''best in sacred brass music.''
By teaming together, these Christian professionals from
around the USA perform their original arrangements.
For more than twenty
years, The King's Brass have performed over one hundred concerts each
season with three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, keyboards, and
percussion.
This setting of the "Matin Responsory" by Sarah MacDonald, Director of Music at Selwyn College, Cambridge, was written for the college's chapel choir at Advent 2016.
David Price is Organist and Master of the Choristers at Portsmouth Cathedral. Before he came to Portsmouth he was Assistant Organist of Ely Cathedral having previously held Organ Scholarships at Rochester Cathedral and Croydon Parish Church.
https://divineartrecords.com/recording/the-mystery-of-christmas-greek-kalanda-carols/
Mediterranean and Nordic Christmas music with Arianna Savall and her Baroque ensemble Hirundo Maris.
Since the founding of their ensemble in 2009, Hirundo Maris, the Catalan harpist and singer Arianna Savall, and the Norwegian tenor and violist Petter Udland Johansen have committed themselves to music from the Middle Ages up to the Baroque period.
"this is a studiously well-curated programme (by Jeffrey Skidmore) of music for the Nativity, almost all from the baroque period. In our view It provides a superior and enjoyable listening experience for Christmas-time" (MusicalMerit) "Recommended very strongly indeed !" (Organists Review magazine)
Footprint Records is proud to present a very special Christmas gift: the album A Christmas Wish, performed by the Gothenburg Youth Choir under the choral direction of Anne Johansson.
An unusual selection of choral music for Christmas, framed by four of the great Christmas hymns, and six Gregorian antiphons for the two main Masses of the nativity celebration Christmas Midnight Mass and the Mass for Christmas Day.
The recording features first recordings of new carols and arrangements by Francis Duffy, Timothy Craig Harrison, Christian Strover, and Norman Harper, together with a rare recording of James MacMillian's motet "In splendoribus sanctorum" with its virtuoso trumpet interludes, brilliantly played by Simon Desbruslais.
Gregorian chant is the traditional sung prayer of the Roman Catholic Church, and at St George's Cathedral it forms a fundamental part of Sunday Solemn Mass and the great celebrations of the church's year. Here we have included the Introit, Offertory and Communion antiphons for the Masses at Christmas Midnight and on Christmas Day.
The musical tradition which currently thrives at St George's dates from 2000, when Nick Gale was appointed Director of Music. He built up a choral tradition based on a group of professional lay clerks and boys from various catholic schools within the Diocese of Southwark, and also north of the Thames.
Provision was made for choral scholars, boys whose voices were changing and who would learn to sing alto, tenor or bass alongside the lay clerks. With these forces Solemn Mass was established as the main weekly choral service, with Gregorian Chant and polyphony at its heart, and with all Mass settings and motets sung in Latin, by a wide range of composers.
The Girls Choir was founded shortly afterwards, recruited from a wide variety of London schools, initially singing their own repertoire. Over the years the Boys and Girls Choirs have developed to the point where they exchange rôles, and sing together for special services, thus enjoying equal status within the Cathedral's musical life.
Full of breathtaking beauty, Star of Wonder, Chor Leoni’s
new Christmas album captures the shimmer and shine which have made the
choir’s annual holiday performances some of the most popular in British
Columbia.
From Franz Biebl’s soaring "Ave Maria," to Tori Amos’ driving "Star of Wonder: and Erick Lichte’s iconic arrangement of "Silent Night" as sung in their performances of All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, this collection explores the many moods and sounds of the season.
Playing a wide variety of music from Gabrieli to hymn
classics, from Händel to jazz spirituals, from Christmas carols to
patriotic marches, The King's Brass uses all corners of the concert hall
to lift hearts and spirits in praise.
Each year if possible, The King's Brass participates in a missions venture somewhere in the world that need them!...
Frank-John Hadley --Downbeat Magazine
Label: Summit(Classical
Originally released in 1991, this holiday compilation features the Grammy winning Tonight Show Orchestra featuring Doc Severinsen with 16 legendary holiday classics!
Label: Amherst Records
'Verbum Caro Factum Est' is an album of beautiful music for Advent
and Christmas by the Choir of Portsmouth Cathedral directed by David
Price, recorded at the Cathedral's Carol Services in December 2017.
Each year if possible, The King's Brass participates in a missions venture somewhere in the world that need them!...
Review
With personnel drawn from all over the United States, The King's Brass three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, keyboards, percussion, plus guests, including organist Samuel Metzger brings stately poise to the jazz classical pop holiday spirit displayed on Christmas Joy (Summit 733; 65:13 ****). Trumpeter bandleader Tim Zimmerman and company mine spirituality in age old carols and fun in secular tunes. The band gives dramatic animation to pleasing arrangements of Bizet's ''Farondole The March of Kings'' and Paul Dukas' ''Fanfare,'' from his ballet La Peri.Frank-John Hadley --Downbeat Magazine
Label: Summit(Classical
Label: Amherst Records
Sigiswald Kuijken worked for 10 years on his cycle of Johann Sebastian
Bach cantatas following the liturgical year, an effort which can be
heard on the series of 19 albums published on Accent.
Now, Kuijken
returns with a new release. This recording includes the work of three
great masters dedicated to the theme of Christmas: Dietrich Buxtehude
(1637-1707), Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) and Georg Philipp
Telemann (1681-1767).
All three created a large number of cantatas for
many occasions, each according to his own perspective and tradition.
The
Christmas cantatas were always of a special nature; the birth of Christ
was celebrated everywhere- both in a solemn and festive setting and in a
smaller circle- and if one listens carefully and considers the
different approaches, one can virtually peer into the composers heart.
Bach takes center stage in this new production, Buxtehude is its be-all
and end-all and Telemann bridges in between two very different opuses.
Label: Accent Records
The boys choir Knabenchor collegium iuvenum Stuttgart is based at the
Stuttgart cathedral singing school. The ensemble's strength lies in its
very broad repertoire, which particularly includes works of sacred
choral music from the Renaissance to the modern age.
This is reflected
in the varied selection of Christmas carols on this album: in addition
to traditional carols, modern arrangements and new Christmas songs are
also included. Instrumental arrangements by the composer and conductor
Michael Culo for flute and organ as well as works for oboe and organ
ensure a beautiful versatility of sound and style.
Conductor Michael
Culo studied church music and singing in Rottenburg and Tubingen. He has
won prizes in organ, choral conducting, and composition competitions
and has received numerous commissions. Since August 2013, Culo has been
artistic director of the boys choir collegium iuvenum Stuttgart.
Label: Carus
Label: Canterbury Vocals
This setting of the "Matin Responsory" by Sarah MacDonald, Director of Music at Selwyn College, Cambridge, was written for the college's chapel choir at Advent 2016.
MacDonald uses a quartet of SSAT soloists to sing each
of the verses, whilst the choir is used sparingly to sing the refrain
'Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel?'
This gives the impression of longing, with the choir serving as the
people of Israel awaiting the birth of a Redeemer.
Andrew
Carter's setting of the 15th century French hymn tune "Veni Emmanuel" uses
various combinations of the choral forces available to reflect the
ancient text - with a strong, forte tenor and bass verse singing of
'Satan's tyranny' and a lighter, more gently accompanied soprano verse
talking of 'Dispersing the gloomy clouds of night.'
The final verse sees
the altos and sopranos in a powerful descant which, combined with the
tierce de Picardie at the end truly enforces the idea of 'Rejoice!'
The
19th century French composer Adolphe Adam's "O Holy Night" remains one of
the most treasured of all carols and here, in John Rutter's
arrangement, it takes on a new lease of life.
With the verses passed
around the choir, the climax of the work comes just a few bars from the
end with a soaring top B flat from the first sopranos to mirror the word
'glory.'
David Price is Organist and Master of the Choristers at Portsmouth Cathedral. Before he came to Portsmouth he was Assistant Organist of Ely Cathedral having previously held Organ Scholarships at Rochester Cathedral and Croydon Parish Church.
Label: Herald
2018 holiday release. Both celebratory and sacred, these classic
Christmas songs take the listener on a spiritual journey and set a
joyful mood, a perfect gift for any home this Christmas season.
World-class cellist Nicole Pinnell makes every phrase on the 10-track
album feel vibrant and alive, dancing around sparkling guitar and piano
accompaniment.
Nicole Pinnell is a world-class cellist. She is featured
as a soloist on Higher by Nathan Pacheco, which debuted #1 on Billboard
in the Classical Crossover chart and stayed in the top 20 for 52 weeks.
She is also a soloist on the Grammy-nominated albums Wish upon a Star
(Jenny Oaks Baker), Fire and Ice, and Atmosphere (both Kaskade). Nicole
is also featured in hundreds of scores for film and radio. In 2015
Nicole was selected to be a participant in Yo-Yo Ma's SilkRoad Global
Musician project.
Label: Shadow Mountain
The eighty young musicians of the renowned Mannheim Bläserphilharmonie,
conducted by Miguel Ercolino, present a very personal Christmas album
containing the favorite pieces of the orchestra members from the
traditional St. Nicholas concerts.
Christmas classics from Bach to
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer conjure up a festive brass Christmas.
The Mannheim Bläserphilharmonie is a symphonic wind orchestra whose
dedicated musicians have set themselves the task of primarily
interpreting contemporary wind music at a high artistic level.
With
their concerts they are an integral part of the regional cultural scene;
on concert tours and at international competitions they appear as
culture ambassadors of the music city of Mannheim. In addition, the
group awards commissions to selected composers; primarily to those from
Mannheim and the region.
Weihnachten.
Label: Coviello Classics
An essential carol disc for Christmas 2018!
New carols, new
arrangements, and a selection of beautiful and exhilarating Christmas
favourites sung by the remarkable Ely Cathedral Girl Choristers, who are
joined in a number of tracks by the Ely Cathedral Lay Clerks.
Recorded
in the glorious acoustic of Ely Cathedral this disc offers twenty-three
immediately attractive and captivating carols for Christmas.
Of
particular interest are first recordings of original new carols by Ben
Parry, Gary Higginson, Mathew Larkin, Annabel Rooney,and the
instantly-memorable winner of the BBC Radio Three Carol Competition
2017, "Sir Christèmas" by Bernard Trafford.
Ely Cathedral Girls
Choir was founded in 2006. The 16 choristers are all boarders at King's
Ely, and are currently in the Senior School, in Years 9 to 13.
The girls
rehearse four mornings a week before school, and sing Evensong twice
per week during school term. Weekend duties and other cathedral
commitments occur once or twice a month, and they are regularly involved
in the major liturgical feasts, often singing with the boys and men.
Since
their foundation the Girls have made several critically acclaimed
commercial CDs on the Regent label (both on their own, and jointly with
the Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge).
The girls have sung
recently with Lesley Garrett and John Rutter, and were featured on BBC
television in Gareth Malone's The Choir: Sing while you work . The girls
have broadcast Choral Evensong on Radio 3 on a number of occasions.
1. Deck the hall – Welsh trad, arr Mark Armstrong
2. No small wonder – Paul Edwards
3. O holy night – Adolphe Adam, arr Sarah MacDonald
4.There is no rose – John Joubert
5. Come to Bethlehem – Peter Warlock, arr Maurice Jacobson
6. Away in a manger – Normandy trad, arr Alexander Berry
7. Glorificamus Deum – Annabel Rooney
8. Corpus Christi Carol – Richard Peat
9. The cherry tree carol – English trad, arr Sarah MacDonald
10. A Hymn to the Virgin – Edmund Rubbra
11. Sir Christèmas – Bernard Trafford
12. A Spotless Rose – Paul Mealor
13. Love came down at Christmas – Simon Lole
14. Follow that star – Peter Gritton
15. Adam lay ybounden – Matthew Larkin
16. What sweeter music – John Rutter
17. St Godric’s Hymn – Gary Higginson
18. Mater ora filium – Charles Wood, arr Harrison Oxley
19. A Christmas Blessing – Philip Stopford
20. The holly and the ivy – English trad, arr Sarah MacDonald
21. Away in a manger – William J Kirkpatrick, arr Gary Cole
22. My Lord has come – Will Todd
23. Three angels – Ben Parry
This superb selection of Advent and Christmas favorites contains many
favorite carols and songs that will help cheer your heart and home
during the Christmas season. In addition to the brilliant reverberations
of handbells, some tracks also contain handchimes, woodwinds, strings,
organ, and piano.
GIA handbell music editor Philip L. Roberts writes: "This album contains best-loved and well-known Christmas music recorded
by Embellish Handbell Ensemble and Chicago Bronze, using five or more
octaves of handbells... Each title is part of our growing GIA handbell
music repertoire... I thank Embellish Handbell Ensemble of Grand Rapids,
Michigan and their outstanding director, Stephanie Wiltse, along with
recording engineer Roy Wallace for their work on the music performed and
recorded by Embellish. Thanks to Roy for mastering this album as well."
Label: Gia Publications
Vaughan Williams was (with Cecil Sharp) one of the foremost collectors
of folk songs during the early 1900s. He collected many traditional
Christmas carols as well.
This collection is of carols as he arranged
them, thus presenting his view of Christmas in the first half of the
20th century. He also wrote four completely new carols for the Oxford
Book of Carols, which are also all included here.
This release includes
world première recordings of two sets of carols: 'Two Carols' from 1945
and Nine Carols for Male Voices, commissioned by the British Council in
1941 for performance by and for British troops serving in Iceland.
They
are performed by the outstanding Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital
Chelsea (of which all members are professional musicians) under the
directorship of William Vann.
Label: Albion Records
Tracks:
1. Silent Night
2. Softly Falls the Snow
3. Ding dong! Merrily On High
4. Quiet My Little Prince
5. Come, Here the Wonderful Tidings
6. Holy Night
7. Lullaby No. 4 Opus 49
8. The First Noel
9. Song of Nativity
10. Jingle Bells
11. Joy to the World
12. Ave Maria
13. Divine Child
14. Ring Little Bells
15. Sweeter the Bells Sound
16. Joyful, O Blessed
17. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
18. Here is Christmas
19. Hallelujah
Following the release of the award-winning Sugarloaf Mountain: An
Appalachian Gathering, which was a Top 5 Billboard Classical Crossover
hit, Jeannette Sorrell and Apollos Fire present Christmas on Sugarloaf
Mountain. In this celebration of the American immigrant experience,
fiddlers, medieval harp, hammered dulcimer, bagpipes and singers join
with childrens voices to evoke the Celtic roots of an Appalachian
Christmas. From Christmas Eve in medieval Scotland to folk carols and
shape-note hymns at a toe-tapping Christmas gathering in Virginia,
Apollos Fire follows the journeys of the Irish and Scottish settlers who
bravely crossed the Atlantic, settled in the mountains and welcomed
Christmas with love, singing, dancing and prayer. Acclaim for the
premiere performances of this program was widespread: The lightning
strike of genius can happen, sometimes even repeatedly to those willing
to earn it. Jeannette Sorrell is one such person. This show was intense,
interesting, spectacularly performed, and deeply moving. If that's not
genius, I don't know what is. (Seen & Heard International)
Label: Avie
Early American holiday favorites featuring Fiddle, Hammered Dulcimer,
Whistles, Guitar, Mandolin, and Accordion. Craig Duncan's talents on
violin, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, guitar, bass, and viola can
be heard on numerous Nashville recordings.
A graduate of Appalachian
State University and Tennessee State University, Craig is a member of
the North American Fiddler's Hall of Fame and Who's Who in Music and
Musicians. He's written 30+ music instruction publications for Mel Bay
Public.
Label: Green Hill Productions
This live recording was produced in honor of the 20th anniversary of
Gospel Christmas with the Northwest Community Gospel Chorus and the
Oregon Symphony. Once considered an unlikely marriage of musical genres,
gospel music with symphony orchestra has now established itself as a
tradition.
While blues, hymns, and spirituals are typical sources of
inspiration for gospel music, the song selections are inspired by many
centuries of sacred music.
These selections reflect the transformative
nature of gospel music itself - from classical music to Latin flavors,
R&B, canticles and carols from the first century, the art of the
film score, and a bounty of musical traditions that do not compromise
the reverence and soulful export at the core of the musical substance.
The visceral communication is not dissimilar to that of opera, where
voice and orchestra align, but today's gospel music with symphony
orchestra has uniquely established itself as an art form all its own.
Label: Pentatone
Well into the previous century Sweden was largely a
peasant society with folk music an integral part of daily life. There
were work songs, narrative ballads and, obviously, music for dancing.
Over the centuries a not always easy coexistence between religion and
folk culture developed, with hymns being adapted to a folk-music
aesthetic while popular traditions were given a Christian veneer.
An
example of the latter is the rich store of Staffan ballads, springing
from a pre-Christian horse cult but given a new slant as its focus
shifted to St. Stephen the first Christian martyr. Gunnar Idenstam and
S:t Jacobs Chamber Choir have performed their Folkjul concerts more or
less every year since 2002.
The concept stem from a rich interplay
between folk culture and high culture and in Idenstams arrangements a
newly composed halling or polska entwines itself round the old Christmas
melodies.
The first Folkjul album was released in 2007 this time the
choir and Idenstam are joined by violinist Sandra Marteleur and Ulrika
Bodén, one of Swedens most well-established folk singers.
Label: Bis
Label: Bis
There is a tradition among the Greek peoples of the singing of carols (
'Kalanda') on Christmas Eve.
This album is a set of carols newly
composed by Greek-Cypriot composer Cilia Petridou. As musical works they
also qualify as art-song in fine performances by three excellent
sopranos.
For those who love Christmas music but want something new,
this album will fit the bill. The three sopranos each take a number of
solo carols and form a trio for the last two; Lesley-Jane and Alison
have both worked with the composer for some time and also made several
highly-praised recordings for Divine Art and Metier.
Cilia Petridou was
an accomplished pianist until her career was ended by major surgery
since when she has concentrated on composition.
Moving with her family
to the UK after the Turlish invasion of north Cyprus which destroyed
their home town of Famagusta, her music is often informed by that
political tragedy, but her Kalanda are bright and full of joy.
Label: Divine Art
Almost forty years after his passing, the name of Andre Kostelanetz is
still synonymous with the sound of beautiful music.
The Russian-born
American conductor gained national attention bringing classical music to
the masses first on CBS Radio in the 1930s and then via a series of
albums on Columbia Records.
A guest conductor of The New York
Philharmonic and Washington, DC’s National Symphony, he reportedly sold
over 52 million records and set the world record for attendance at a
classical concert when 250,000 people showed up to a 1979 performance in
Central Park.
In his discography of over 100 albums conducting
everything from Swan Lake to the hits of Chicago, Kostelanetz’s
Christmas albums are among the most treasured.
Real Gone Music and
Second Disc Records invite you to a true wonderland of Christmas with
the release of Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra’s The Complete
Christmas Albums.
This comprehensive 2-CD, 42-track set features all
three of the legendary conductor’s classic Columbia Christmas LPs – Joy
to the World: The Music of Christmas (1959), Wonderland of Christmas
(1963), and Wishing You a Merry Christmas (1965), on which he was joined
by vocalist Phyllis Curtin and The St. Killian Boychoir – plus a host
of holiday bonuses.
These include Kostelanetz’s rare 1950 single of
“White Christmas,” a complete recording of “The Nutcracker Suite”
featuring Peter Ustinov, and additional seasonal favorites from the
Kostelanetz catalog. Wishing You a Merry Christmas makes its CD debut
here.
Along with his fellow “easy listening” kings Percy Faith and Ray
Conniff, Kostelanetz defined the sound of the holiday with his Columbia
Christmas recordings, and you’ll find them all here (this is really his
complete Christmas recordings, except he made several recordings of The
Nutcracker, sparklingly remastered in crisp original mono and splendid
“360 Sound” stereo by Maria Triana at Sony’s Battery Studios.
The Second
Disc’s resident Christmas elf Joe Marchese has penned the new liner
notes. There’s no doubt the maestro’s yuletide recordings will become a
few of your favorite things!
Label: Real Gone Music
Bach Collegium Japan and Masaaki Suzuki have sung of the wonders of
Christmas a number of times, in Bachs cantatas and Christmas Oratorio as
well as in Handels Messiah.
Here, instead, we hear the choir a cappella
in a selection of classic Christmas carols. Masato Suzuki, son of the
ensembles founder and director, has selected some of the best-loved
songs of Christmas, such as "Adeste fideles" and "Silent Night," as well as
less familiar hymns, arranging them especially for these singers.
A
consummate organist, he also performs a number of Louis-Claude Daquins
noëls variés keyboard variations on Christmas songs which became a
highly popular genre in 18th-century France.
Label: Bis
No information.
The pieces on this album originate largely from the Christmette by
Michael Praetorius. In addition, nativity hymns by a range of different
composers from the same era have been compiled. In Lutheran style the
compositions on this album include solo pieces, choir arrangements,
double choral motets, instrumental pieces and of course the church organ
repertoire.
The listener can also hear pieces, which were not
necessarily meant for Christmas, but fit the program very well. The
function of some of the pieces is liturgical, like Gloria, Our Father,
or the mighty Entrance-Prelude. Two other pieces are meditative moments
about the name of Jesus.
Many of the songs are well-known. However, the
arrangements for soloists and/or choir from Praetorius and his
contemporaries are rarely performed.
The Early Music ensemble Margaretha
Consort was founded in 2009. The ensemble is based in the Netherlands,
but the singers and instrumentalists are from all over Europe. Over the
years a very skilled team has been created, where knowledge, musicality,
and congeniality go hand in hand.
Label: Naxos
Label: Musica Sacra
No description.
Label: Divucsa
Label: Eloquence Australia
Label: Paraclete Press
Reissues of 1989 release.
The story of Christ's birth has prompted generations of composers to
expressions of joy and mystical reflection. ORA's selection of carols
for this album unveils a whole treasure chest of offerings, some
familiar, some less so, all giving voice to various elements of the
nativity story.
Produced with the generous support of the Pureland
Foundation, The Mystery of Christmas focuses on the miraculous
Incarnation and the central role of the Virgin Mary. Highlights include
Richard Allain's arrangement of the "Coventry Carol," Morten Lauridsen's "O
Magnum Mysterium" and a carol by John Rutter written specifically for
ORA's director, Suzi Digby.
Label: HARMONIA MUNDI
Since the founding of their ensemble in 2009, Hirundo Maris, the Catalan harpist and singer Arianna Savall, and the Norwegian tenor and violist Petter Udland Johansen have committed themselves to music from the Middle Ages up to the Baroque period.
And a
special emphasis has been Mediterranean and Nordic music. For their
current album, 'Silent Night Early Christmas Music and Carols' both
musicians and ensemble conductors have chosen traditional Christmas
songs from the north and south.
And in doing so, invite you along on a
journey of sound into the magical world of centuries-old winter, Advent,
and Christmas music. The German song 'Silent Night' is laid out on the
program alongside the Norwegian Christmas song 'Mitt hjerte alltid
vanker', the Provençal 'Ô nuit brillante' and the Catalonish, 'El cant
dels ocells', which the legendary early music pioneer Jordi Savall,
Arianna Savalls famous father, orchestrated for the recording.
''Every
country has its own Christmas traditions and its own treasure trove of
Christmas songs'' says the musician from the Hirundo Maris ensemble (the
ensemble name is the Latin term for 'sea swallow'). ''Some of them,
like 'Silent Night' are known throughout the world and are translated in
numerous languages, but many of these songs have remained hidden in
their home countries like a national treasure.
Hirundo Maris now
showcases many such musical treasures in imaginative compositions that
fuse the old with the present day. The expressive voices of Arianna
Savall and Petter Udland Johansen give rise to an atmospheric dialogue
with multifaceted instrumental parts.
Such sounds emanate from cheerful
bagpipes, an expertly played Cornetto, the poetic slide guitar 'Dobro'
and violins, flutes, harps and percussion. ''Our music is based on four
important elements: early music, folk music, our own composition, and
improvisation. We all play different instruments, but the voices of
Arianna and Petter are the main focus of our group.''
The musicians of
Hirundo Maris all come from many European countries: Norway, England,
Germany, Poland, Spain, and Catalonia. And accordingly, the recording of
beautiful melodies has become a kind of sound mirror reflecting the
diverse musical traditions of European Christmas celebrations. '
'The
singing of heavenly Christmas music brings everyone peace and hope''
says Arianna Savall. ''Singing is one of the best opportunities to bring
people together. It is very spiritual. We cannot touch it, but we all
feel it deep in our hearts.''
Label: Sony Classical Uk
Why Another Christmas album? Because the Christmas season ideally offers
free time and opportunities for leisure, meditation, and
self-reflection all of which need not necessarily occur exclusively in
the sphere of religious spirituality.
We can also put our holidays to
good use simply by doing nothing, not planning too much, and taking
advantage of the opportunity for everything beyond the limits of our to
do agendas. Time!
For encounters, conversations, and ideas. Free space
and time enable us to suspend our everyday routines and perhaps to
entertain the eyes with pictures that we haven't seen in a long time or
haven't ever seen before and the ears with ditto sounds.
This release is
intended especially for this chronotopos! Here the Singphoniker in no
way wish to encroach on your time-space, providing it with an audio
background or supplying the musical accompaniment.
But if you want to
close your eyes and open your ears, then the Singphoniker will be happy
to join you.
They would like to offer entertainment and to transmit joy
in the form of many wonderful melodies and moods: the joy that comes
with so many astonishing developments and combinations, with so many
different elements and contrasts, with Christmas swing, with the
classical tradition, with folk-song tones, and that ranges from the
Singphonic special arrangement to the timeless classics of the modern
era.
Label: Cpo Records
Label: POINT PRODUCTIONS
The all-female vocal ensemble Papagena makes its debut on SOMM
Recordings with The Darkest Midnight, a sublime collection of songs for
winter from the Middle Ages to the modern era embracing the secular and
the sacred.
Described as a stunning addition to the vocal music scene
and la crème de la crème in the crowded a cappella space, Papagenas
three sopranos (Elizabeth Drury, Abbi Temple, Suzie Vango) and two altos
(Suzzie Purkis, Sarah Tenant-Flowers) look certain to add to their
fast-growing reputation with this beautifully sung compendium.
Casting a
dark glamour all of its own, the bleakness of winter has prompted some
of the most bewitching, brittle and bright songs.
Alongside traditional
Christmas anthems can be found legendary singer-songwriter Joni
Mitchells The River in an achingly melancholic arrangement and American
composer Don Macdonald, whose "When the Earth Stands Still" is movingly
poignant and still, twilit and shining.
Celebratory songs marking the
Christmas season the exuberant "In dulci Jubilo," burnished, glowing
harmonies of "Angelus ad virginem,' sublimely serene "Es ist ein Ros
entsprungen" and infectious "Shchedryk: Hark How the Bells" from Ukraine are
heard alongside lilting Irish songs from antiquity and the charming
Scottish lullaby "Balulalow."
Songs from England, Germany, Norway and "Toi
le coeur de la rose" from Ravels Lenfant et les sortilèges round off a
recording that includes first performances of eight arrangements and is
marked by sheer beauty of sound.
Label: Somm Recordings
Label: Alto
Our most recent Telemann album is a special highlight for the Christmas season! It brings together three Christmas oratorios from Telemann's Oratorischer Jahrgang for the church year 1730/31 and a cantata from the annual cycle Musicalisches Lob Gottes printed in score form in Nuremberg in 1744.
The oratorios are new discoveries and premiere recordings. Even if the works concerned are of cantata length, the term Oratorio is in this case perfectly justified.
Not only the soprano, alto, and other vocal parts sing but also personified allegories such as Faith, Hope, and Love. Telemann's musical realization of the poetic sources of the writer and musician Albrecht Jacob Zell is distinguished by great imagination and subtle artistry.
The affections and emotions contained in the texts penned by Zell and the Biblical texts inserted by him in the arias and choruses are developed logically and with great feeling: here Telemann employs and combines the whole spectrum of compositional techniques at his command.
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge presents Favourite Carols from
King's - a fantastic collection of timeless festive repertoire sung by
the world's leading choir.
The recording features a selection of some of
the most popular and well-loved carols, including Once in Royal David's
City, Silent Night and The Holly and the Ivy, with several new
arrangements by the Choir's own Director of Music, Stephen Cleobury.
Label: KING'S COLLEGE
The oratorios are new discoveries and premiere recordings. Even if the works concerned are of cantata length, the term Oratorio is in this case perfectly justified.
Not only the soprano, alto, and other vocal parts sing but also personified allegories such as Faith, Hope, and Love. Telemann's musical realization of the poetic sources of the writer and musician Albrecht Jacob Zell is distinguished by great imagination and subtle artistry.
The affections and emotions contained in the texts penned by Zell and the Biblical texts inserted by him in the arias and choruses are developed logically and with great feeling: here Telemann employs and combines the whole spectrum of compositional techniques at his command.
Telemann's opulent settings were made to order for the rich resources of Hamburgs church music, for which he had available eight vocalists as well as some twenty instrumentalists.
Label: Cpo Records
No Information.
Label: Berlin Classics
It s not often you get to visit a Benedictine monastery founded in 1010
in western France, let alone experience night prayer there on Christmas
Eve, chanted in its entirety by the monastic choir in the rich acoustics
of their ancient church.
That is the rare and unforgettable opportunity
afforded by this unique recording. Opening with an organ prelude, this
recording contains every part of this traditional liturgical prayer,
including the invitatory, hymns, antiphons and psalms, readings and
responsory, all beautifully chanted in clear Latin.
The Old Testament
reading is from Isaiah, while the Gospel reading is the genealogy of
Christ from the beginning of Matthew. Join the monks of Solesmes as they
celebrate the birth of Jesus at the same time of night that he was born
in Bethlehem. Setting the standard for Gregorian performance. (American
Record Guide)
Label: Paraclete Press
Footprint Records is proud to present a very special Christmas gift: the album A Christmas Wish, performed by the Gothenburg Youth Choir under the choral direction of Anne Johansson.
The Gothenburg Youth Choir, one
of Sweden s most acclaimed, consists of boys and girls between the ages
of 16 and 25. Anne Johansson, who has dedicated her professional life to
teaching secondary-school children to sing, is an authority on young
voices.
The album contains arrangements of traditional Christmas songs
from Sweden and France, as well as compositions by Benjamin Britten, Max
Reger, and others- it is the perfect accompaniment to the Yuletide
season. The Gothenburg Youth Choir wishes you and your family a very
Merry Christmas!
Label: Footprint
Track Listing:
Joy To The World
Coal Dust In The Snow
My Little Country Church At Christmas Time
Now The Bells Ring
A Miner’s Christmas Story
Christmas In The Mine
Winter Wonderland / Jingle Bells
This Season Will Never Grow Old
Go Tell It On The Mountain / Christmas in Killarney
http://menofthedeeps.com/album/christmas-in-the-mine/
We are pleased to welcome the excellent Choir of St George's Roman Catholic Cathedral in Southwark in their first recording on the Regent label.
Label: Footprint
Joy To The World
Coal Dust In The Snow
My Little Country Church At Christmas Time
Now The Bells Ring
A Miner’s Christmas Story
Christmas In The Mine
Winter Wonderland / Jingle Bells
This Season Will Never Grow Old
Go Tell It On The Mountain / Christmas in Killarney
http://menofthedeeps.com/album/christmas-in-the-mine/
The recording is directed by Norman Harper who retires from the Cathedral at Christmas 2018 and is colourfully accompanied by the Cathedral's organist, Frederick Stocken.
An unusual selection of choral music for Christmas, framed by four of the great Christmas hymns, and six Gregorian antiphons for the two main Masses of the nativity celebration Christmas Midnight Mass and the Mass for Christmas Day.
The recording features first recordings of new carols and arrangements by Francis Duffy, Timothy Craig Harrison, Christian Strover, and Norman Harper, together with a rare recording of James MacMillian's motet "In splendoribus sanctorum" with its virtuoso trumpet interludes, brilliantly played by Simon Desbruslais.
Gregorian chant is the traditional sung prayer of the Roman Catholic Church, and at St George's Cathedral it forms a fundamental part of Sunday Solemn Mass and the great celebrations of the church's year. Here we have included the Introit, Offertory and Communion antiphons for the Masses at Christmas Midnight and on Christmas Day.
The musical tradition which currently thrives at St George's dates from 2000, when Nick Gale was appointed Director of Music. He built up a choral tradition based on a group of professional lay clerks and boys from various catholic schools within the Diocese of Southwark, and also north of the Thames.
Provision was made for choral scholars, boys whose voices were changing and who would learn to sing alto, tenor or bass alongside the lay clerks. With these forces Solemn Mass was established as the main weekly choral service, with Gregorian Chant and polyphony at its heart, and with all Mass settings and motets sung in Latin, by a wide range of composers.
The Girls Choir was founded shortly afterwards, recruited from a wide variety of London schools, initially singing their own repertoire. Over the years the Boys and Girls Choirs have developed to the point where they exchange rôles, and sing together for special services, thus enjoying equal status within the Cathedral's musical life.
Label: Regent Records
Frederick Stocken Organ, Directed by Norman Harper
with Simon Desbruslais Trumpet*
1
Dominus dixit – Introit antiphon (Midnight Mass)
1:252
O come, all ye faithful – J F Wade, arr Norman Harper
3:503
Of one that is so fair and bright – Francis Duffy, arr Timothy Craig Harrison
3:064
Out of your sleep – Richard Rodney Bennett
1:525
While shepherds watched – Este’s Psalter 1592, arr Norman Harper
2:316
O magnum mysterium Tomás Luis de Victoria
4:057
Silent night – Franz Grüber, arr Norman Harper
2:548
Lætentur cæli – Offertory antiphon (Midnight Mass)
0:599
God is with us – A Christmas Proclamation – John Tavener
5:5210
In splendoribus sanctorum – Communion antiphon (Midnight Mass)
1:1911
In splendoribus sanctorumI* – James MacMillan
9:2512
Puer natus est nobis – Introit antiphon (Christmas Day)
2:2213
Welcome Yule – Norman Harper
2:1814
The Virgin’s Last Slumber Song – Christian Strover
2:3715
O little town of Bethlehem – English trad, arr Ralph Vaughan Williams and Thomas Armstrong
3:25 16
Tui sunt cæli – Offertory antiphon (Christmas Day)
1:3217
Glory to the Christ Child – Alan Bullard
2:4918
Viderunt omnes – Communion antiphon (Christmas Day)
1:18 19
Once in royal David’s city – H J Gauntlett, harm A H Mann, arr Philip Ledger
4:52 
Christmas
is a particularly busy time of year for the Chamber Choir of Whitgift
School, and this recording represents a selection of the music sung by
the boys and men of the Choir at the annual Whitgift Carol Service at
Croydon Minster.
The repertoire featured is wide, ranging from the early
sixteenth-century carol Personent Hodie, through to O Radiant Dawn by
contemporary Scottish composer, James MacMillan. The five carol
arrangements for choir, brass, percussion and organ were written by
Robert Ampt, the City Organist of Sydney Town Hall, and add to the
festive flavour of this carol CD.
Whitgift
is very proud of its close partnership with Croydon Minster; the
Chamber Choir regularly sings in the splendour of the Minster, and the
School provides Choristerships for Whitgift Choristers to sing in the
Minster Boys’ Choir.
This collaboration has resulted in outstanding
choral services and concerts, and this CD is testament to the wonderful
choral tradition at both Whitgift and Croydon Minster.
From Franz Biebl’s soaring "Ave Maria," to Tori Amos’ driving "Star of Wonder: and Erick Lichte’s iconic arrangement of "Silent Night" as sung in their performances of All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, this collection explores the many moods and sounds of the season.
Rich
and lush, this latest release from Canada’s premiere male choir features
a mix of a cappella singing alongside works accompanied by piano, piano
four-hands, and hammered dulcimer. Star of Wonder is a must for any lover of men’s choral music and would be the perfect soundtrack to any festive feast.
https://chorleoni.org/store/products/star-of-wonder/
Roger Benedict – principal viola of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra – and pianist Simon Tedeschi present a new studio album reimagining masterpieces by Schubert and Schumann. It was common practice in the 19th century for composer to publish their music in versions for multiple instruments, increasing their audience and appeal. Taking inspiration from this, Benedict and Tedeschi present a range of works ideally suited to the rich tone of the viola – the ‘melancholy dreamer’, as Berlioz described it.
FRANZ SCHUBERT 1797–1818
1–3. Sonata in A minor, D821 ‘Arpeggione’ for viola and piano
Eight Songs from ‘Winterreise’
Arranged for viola and piano by Roger Benedict
4. Gute Nacht (Good Night)
5. Erstarrung (Numbness)
6. Auf dem Flusse (On the Stream)
7. Irrlicht (Will-o’-the-Wisp)
8. Frühlingstraum (A Dream of Springtime)
9. Stürmischer Morgen (Stormy Morning)
10. Täuschung (Deception)
11. Der Wegweiser (The Signpost)
ROBERT SCHUMANN 1810–1856
12. Intermezzo [from the F.A.E. Sonata] for violin and piano, WoO22
Arranged for viola and piano by Roger Benedict
13–15. Sonata for piano and violin in A minor, Op. 105
Arranged for viola and piano by Roger Benedict
Roger Benedict viola
Simon Tedeschi piano
James Adler's A Winter Triptych is a setting of three Christmas melodies from the Oxford Book of Carols and is scored for chorus, soloists, and an unusual, intimate accompaniment of horn and harp.
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https://chorleoni.org/store/products/star-of-wonder/
- Zion, at thy shining gates – Bohemian Brethren (1531), arr George Guest 2:25
- A tender shoot – Otto Goldschmidt 1:52
- We wait for thy loving kindness, O God – William McKie 2:31
- Come, thou redeemer of the earth – Michael Praetorius 3:14
- Ave maris stella – Edvard Grieg 2:46
- E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come – Paul Manz 2:15
- O nata lux – Morten Lauridsen 4:18
- A babe is born – William Mathias 3:42
- Adam lay ybounden – Boris Ord 1:20
- I wonder as I wander – Trad, arr Andrew Carter 3:16
- Magnificat in D – George Dyson 4:17
- Tua Bethlem dref – David Evans, arr Geoffrey Webber 2:37
- O come, all ye faithful – John Francis Wade, v5 arr David Willcocks 4:46
- Offertoire sur deux Noëls played by Stephen Moore – Alexandre Guilmant 7:00
- O leave your sheep – Kenneth Leighton 4:51
- Bethlehem down – Peter Warlock 4:00
- We three kings – John H Hopkins Jr, arr Philip Stopford 3:19
- Hodie – James Whitbourn 2:36
Roger Benedict – principal viola of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra – and pianist Simon Tedeschi present a new studio album reimagining masterpieces by Schubert and Schumann. It was common practice in the 19th century for composer to publish their music in versions for multiple instruments, increasing their audience and appeal. Taking inspiration from this, Benedict and Tedeschi present a range of works ideally suited to the rich tone of the viola – the ‘melancholy dreamer’, as Berlioz described it.
FRANZ SCHUBERT 1797–1818
1–3. Sonata in A minor, D821 ‘Arpeggione’ for viola and piano
Eight Songs from ‘Winterreise’
Arranged for viola and piano by Roger Benedict
4. Gute Nacht (Good Night)
5. Erstarrung (Numbness)
6. Auf dem Flusse (On the Stream)
7. Irrlicht (Will-o’-the-Wisp)
8. Frühlingstraum (A Dream of Springtime)
9. Stürmischer Morgen (Stormy Morning)
10. Täuschung (Deception)
11. Der Wegweiser (The Signpost)
ROBERT SCHUMANN 1810–1856
12. Intermezzo [from the F.A.E. Sonata] for violin and piano, WoO22
Arranged for viola and piano by Roger Benedict
13–15. Sonata for piano and violin in A minor, Op. 105
Arranged for viola and piano by Roger Benedict
Roger Benedict viola
Simon Tedeschi piano
James Adler's A Winter Triptych is a setting of three Christmas melodies from the Oxford Book of Carols and is scored for chorus, soloists, and an unusual, intimate accompaniment of horn and harp.
Commissioned by the Windy City Gay Chorus, the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC and the Morehouse College Glee Club, the world premiere took place in Chicago in 1984.
Composed at night at Adler's Aunt Reva's kitchen table during a visit, A Winter Triptych is a quiet and primarily introspective work. James Adler, equally at home composing or performing has a career that encompasses teaching, performing, and composing. Adler can be heard as a performer and composer on Albany Records, Capstone, Navona, and Ravello Records. He is on the faculty of Saint Peter's University and is a National Arts Associate in the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and a recipient of the 2017 Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. Beautifully performed by the Judson Memorial Church Choir conducted by Henco Espag, A Winter Triptych is James Adler at his best.
https://www.albanyrecords.com/catalog/troy1720/
https://www.albanyrecords.com/catalog/troy1720/
