Illumine - National Children's Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra
To be released November 10, 2023.
The GRAMMY® Award-winning National Children’s Chorus, under the
leadership of Artistic Director Luke McEndarfer and Associate Artistic
Director Dr. Pamela Blackstone, has quickly become one of the world’s
leading children’s choirs.
Among the most exciting and fastest-growing
music institutions for youth in the United States, the chorus provides
its unparalleled training to more than 1,500 students, based in the
chapter cities of Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., San
Francisco, Austin, Dallas, Boston and Chicago. The NCC’s groundbreaking
Season 2022/23, entitled Resounding Voices, focused on the social impact
of the chorus’ artistry, featuring an array of diverse repertoire that
exemplifies the organization’s long-term commitment to new music, world
culture, and meaningful collaborations.
Music from the season was then
taken on tour to the United Kingdom and recorded by the chorus at Abbey
Road Studios and AIR Studios in London for this culminating album.
1. Carol of the Bells
2. Himig Pasko
3. Yaldei Hanr
4. Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day
5. A La Nanita Nana
6. I Dream a World
7. Beteleemu
8. In Winter
9. I saw three ships
10. Northern Lights
11. Ose Shalomm
12. Diya Jalein
13. Glow
14. It's the Most Wonderful Time of te Year
15. Lully, Lulla, Lullay
16. The World for Christmas
17. Silent Night
It Feels Like Christmas, Voctave
1. We Need a Little Christmas
2. Nutcracker Medley
3. Nostalgia Medley
4. The 12 Days of Christmas
5. Who Would Imagine a Kine?
6. Sleigh Ride
7. How Great Our Joy (with Hark! the Harald...
8. What are You Doing New Year's Eve?
As Joseph was A Walkings, National Youth Choir Fellowship, Laura Jekabsone
As it was the Renaissance tradition in Italy, a colorful mix of different styles and moods can be heard. Gorgeous secular and spiritual, joyous and festive, instrumental and vocal music alternate.
With this deliberately set contrast, we want to reach the soundscape in Italy by approx. 1500 immersion and pay homage to the present," says Katharina Bäuml. It is music that has deeply touched us over the centuries to this day.
On "Capriccio Pastorale" one hears Italian Christmas songs, such as the famous Neapolitan song "Tu scendi dalle stelle", "Venite adoriamo" from Istria or the popular chorale »Angelus adirginem». There are even world premiere recordings on the album of Christmas hymns (Lauden), such as the living »Hor non nascescias» or the dance »Danza dei pastori».
The moving Christmas fair Missa de Sancta Maria by Heinrich Isaac (1450-1517), a Nuremberg composer who lived mainly in Italy, is also a world premiere record. Real discoveries are also the solemn works of his contemporaries, such as the Veronese composer Giovanni Animuccia (ca. 1514-1571), Giovanni Paolo Cima (1583-1643) or the papal singer and composer Francesco Soto de Langa (1534-1619). The colourfully instrumented Capella de la Torre is supported by the excellent soloists Margaret Hunter (soprano), Erika Tandiono (soprano) and Florian Cramer (tenor). A touching, festive Christmas album for all fans of Italian music!
1 Hoggi la vita nasce
2 Tutti debiam cantare
3 Missa de Sancta Maria a nativitate usque ad purificationem: Introitus
4 O Maria diana stella
5 Levate su pastori
6 Giga Angelella
7 Missa de Sancta Maria a nativitate usque ad purificationem: Versus - Alleluia
8 Nell' apparir del sempiterno sole
9 Angelus ad virginem
10 Missa de Sancta Maria a nativitate usque ad purificationem: Sequentia
11 Ditene'o pastori
12 Capriccio Pastorale, F 2.35
13 Hodie Christus natus est
14 Angelica bilta
15 Gloria, RISM I-TRmn 87.31
16 Tu scendi dalle stelle
17 E nato il grand Iddeo
18 Danza dei pastori
19 Venite adoriamo
20 Hor non nascescias
21 Quando nascette ninno
Deutsche Harm Mundi
Pressed on Limited Edition Blue and White Color Vinyl for the first time ever, this album takes the best streamed tracks from `Essential Carols' and presents them in a brand new collectors format.
1 Mendelssohn: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
2 Anonymous: The First Nowell
3 While Shepherds Watched
4 Anonymous, Arbeau: Ding Dong! Merrily on High
5 In Dulci Jubilo
6 Kirkpatrick: Away in a Manger
7 Gauntlett: Once in Royal David's City
8 Wade: Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)
9 Anonymous: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
10 Anonymous: O Little Town of Bethlehem
11 Traditional: The Holly & the Ivy
12 Anonymous: I Saw Three Ships
13 See Amid the Winter's Snow
Decca
I signet juletid
Den Norske Studentersangforening, Kjartan Hverven, Vetle Røsten Granås, Trommegutten med venner
Marit Tøndel Bodsberg Weyde.
- Folkerfrelss - Traditional, ambrosius of Miliano Bernt Stoylen (Arr. for Choir by Kim Andre Arnesen
- Det Kimer na til julefes - Carl Christian Nicholaj Balle, N.F.S. Grudtvid (Arr. for Choir by Frank Havroy
- Den fagraste rosa - (arr. for Choir by Havard Gravdal, Traditional, Hans A. Brorson, Elias Blix
- Den fagraste rosa - (Arr. for Choir by Havard Gravdal), Traditional, Hans A. Brorson, Elias Blix
- Fra fjord og fjaere - (Arr. for Choir by Kim Andre Arnesen) Hardenack Otto Conrad Zink
- Herm'att tel jul - (Arr. for Choir by Kjetil Bjerkestrand), Eldar Vagan, Tande P., Viggo Sandvik
- Lille gutten med trommen - Katherine kennocott Davis, Knut Naerum
- O jul med din glede (Arr. for Choir by David Zhu Leiva), Traditional Gustave Kielland
- I denne sote juletide - (Arr. for choir by Henric Odegaard), Traditional, H.A. Brorson
- Kling no, klokka! - Trad
- 1Nordnorsk julesalme - (Arr. for Choir by Magnus Klokk Fremstad, Trygve Hoff
- Deilig er jorden - (Arr. for Choir by Eva Holm Foosnaes) Traditionl, B.S. Ingemann
- O Helga Natt - (Arr. for Choir by Eva Holm Foosnaes) A. Adams, Helene Bokl
Given that not one of the Masses by Jacques Arcadelt was included in our boxed set that revealed his immense musical personality to the world, we now remedy this situation with an indispensable addition.
Leonardo Garcia Alarcon chose the Missa Noe Noe , which is presented here in the context of the Christmas liturgy. We have also included motets not only by Arcadelt but also by Josquin Desprez, as he was the great model for musicians of his generation.
The recording ends resoundingly with Josquin’s imposing "Benedicta es coelorum regina" for six voices, although in an expanded version for twelve voices by Jean Guyot de Châtelet (1512 – 1588): another Walloon composer to be discovered!
https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/arcadelt-missa-noe-noe
La Petite Bande | Sigiswald Kuijken
Weihnachtsoratorium (re-issue)
The Christmas Oratorio is a series of six separate cantatas, collectively relating the story from Christmas through to Twelfth Night. Bach wrote the work in Leipzig in 1734 and 1735 for Christmas Day (I), Boxing day (II), the third day of Christmas (III), New Year (IV), the Sunday after New Year (V) and Twelfth Night (VI). As with the Passions, the texts here are drawn from three sources: (1) the evangelical texts (primarily Luke and Matthew) intoned by the Evangelist (tenor) as recitatives, (2) chorales from the Lutheran tradition and (3) free texts for arias and some choral passages, written by the poet Picander.
This performance is perhaps as close as presently possible to what we imagine Bach might have had in mind as he composed the work in Leipzig.
First of all, we have the 'one to a part' aspect: historical research among the various sources clearly shows that Bach did not ask for a choir to perform his cantatas, but simply a vocal quartet.
This 'single line singing' certainly adds to the individual expression of the text and the music's transparency. Bach's religious music always uses the text as its starting point and a great deal of attention is therefore paid to correct enunciation.
The vocal principle of 'one to a part' also has a major influence on the instrumental forces.
Bach employed a small-scale string ensemble (two first violins, two second violins, one viola, one or two bass violins for the bass line and sometimes a violoncello da spalla, or shoulder cello, see below), as well as single wind instruments where appropriate, all supported by an organ, which formed the continuo in conjunction with the bass violin.
And since the instrumental music is also completely permeated by the rhetoric that stems from the text, the transparency of this small ensemble intertwines seamlessly with the vocal lines, giving a refined polyphony that reached its zenith in Bach's music.
Continuing to focus attention on the 'historical truth' of performance (in other words, trying to get as close as possible to the circumstances in which the work was originally conceived and performed) is not a museum activity.
Rather, it is an ongoing process of questioning music in performance, erasing later habits and traditions that have survived, so that the music can once again dazzle us with its freshness and directness.
Jonathan Rutherford: The Wilderness and the Solitary Place, London Voices, Ben Parry, conductor; William Saunders organ.
Editor's Note: This recording has Rutherford's 1998 song cycle 3 Advent Carols and the work The Star Child and some carols.
"Isaiah 35: Three Advent Carols (1998) was written for my brother Christian when he was music director of the choir of Little St Mary’s Church, Cambridge. I was asked, by Little St Mary’s Church, to set the words of Chapter 35 of Isaiah, from the Old Testament.
At first, I could see no convincing way of setting the prose to music, and so I asked Jennifer Thorn, who had written the poem sung at the end of my piece "An Intake of Breath," to adapt it into verse.
She gave me the words which I have made the first of these three carols. While I was waiting for Jenny to write the verses, I found and read the lovely words, spoken by the character Isaiah, that open The Shearmen and Tailors’ Play (the Coventry Mystery Play) written probably between 1400 and 1425.
This became the second carol. While composing these two settings, it then became obvious to me how I should make the music for a setting of the original words in the Bible and provide a group of pieces that made a satisfactory whole.
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (1985) come from the last scene of the opera, The Star-Child (1979-85), which combines the stories of two of Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales, The Young King and The Star-Child.
I combined the two stories because they had so many similarities of plot and had scenes which yearned for music and theatre. Both of the stories concerned the disparity between those living with opulent wealth, and those in miserable poverty.
“Better that we had died of cold in the forest, or that some wild beast had fallen upon us and slain us” is a phrase which one of the woodcutters utters in the first scene of The Star-Child. In the action, the eponymous hero, having become narcissistic, feels guilty of cruelty, for he has rejected his mother, who is now a lone beggarwoman who has pleaded with him to come back to her.
In the second act, he has recognized through dreams, that in the making of his magnificent coronation robes, poverty-stricken slaves have died (“given their lives” is the euphemism).
He subsequently chooses to go to his coronation in rags, to the shame of everyone, the public alike.
The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis are heard near the end of the final act, as the Young King, arriving for his coronation, in rags, having argued fruitlessly outside the cathedral with the Lord Chamberlain who has tried to dissuade him, storms into the cathedral, only to have a further argument with the Bishop, who sings his reproachful aria “My son, I am an old man, and in the winter of my days”.
As the Young King opens the doors of the cathedral, we hear the opening of the Magnificat in full voice.
Pilgrim’s Song (1984) is a setting of John Bunyan’s words from Pilgrim’s Progress which I used in the 2nd act of The Star-Child, which presents the dreams of the Young King, in which slaves’ lives have been sacrificed to make him rich and powerful.
The Star-Child, burdened by guilt, and choosing to reject the wealth he is to inherit, becomes a pilgrim as two monks, representing the Star Child’s dreaming soul, sing the poem in searching two-part counterpoint, expressing a sense of searching, while also evoking a sense of humility.
I have used John Bunyan’s original words, not Percy Dearmer’s famous and desecrated hymn version, which not only changes words altogether, but confuses 1st and 3rd persons.
"Rejoice! Rejoice! "(2010) was written for the Jubilee Opera Chorus production of Beatrix Potter’s The Tailor of Gloucester.
It was to be sung at the moment Beatrix Potter describes, that in the old story “all the beasts can talk in the night between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the morning (though there are very few folk that can hear them or know what it is that they say)”.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" (2015) is a setting of Christina Rosetti’s poem first published in January 1872. Without their asking, my setting was written for Seraphim, the amateur female singing group in East Anglia founded by Vetta Wise.
In choosing a text, I thought it would be nice to set Christina Rosetti’s words, one of which is the gentle word: Seraphim.
Because there was no prospect of Seraphim performing the work, I chose to allow myself intervals difficult for amateurs to sing. But, the members of Seraphim were very brave, and liking the music in rehearsal, were determined to sing it.
They performed it in 2017 with flute (Anna Noakes) and harp (Gabriella Dall’Olio) helping them. There is no doubt that the piece should be sung unaccompanied as it is in this recording. There are two poems on this CD album which are more famous as hymns or carols, with tunes designed to comfort the listener.
John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Song better known as the cheerful hymn He Who Would Valiant Be. The other is In the "Bleak Midwinter" made famous in the deeply comforting musical settings by both Gustav Holst and Harold Darke.
In the cases of both poems, I wanted to find a more challenging and poignant meaning in the words than the famous tunes would suggest. In Christina Rosetti’s carol I was keen to set the freezing words “snow on snow” in such a way that they would express bleakness and coldness.
Britten had done just this in his setting of "In the Bleak Midwinter" within his choral work, A Boy is Born.
Perhaps regretfully, I used a version of the poem found in a traditional anthology. Sadly, and primly, the anthology left out the beautiful verse about ‘a breastful of milk’.
I have found it impossible, in retrospect, to insert a new setting of the verse, as the structure of the musical journey can only be damaged by doing so.
"Blessèd is the Man who Finds Wisdom" (2015) (words from Proverbs chapter 3: verses 13-18) was written for Maggie Beale in memory of her husband John, to be sung by the Orford Benefice Choir (of which he was a member).
Maggie chose various possible words to set to music, including some by Shelley, but we settled on these. In reply to a solo female phrase, the anthem finishes with a tenor solo voice, representing John, for he was a tenor in the choir, and he may be said to have the last word, surrounded by a choir of angels.
For "Behold, I Create New Heavens and a New Earth (2019) was written for Graeme Kay and the Orford Benefice Choir, who performed it on the occasion of the Easter 2019 dedication of the newly acquired Peter Collins organ.
To date, it is the only piece specifically written for that instrument since it came from Southampton to take its place in Orford. It is a setting of Isaiah 65: verses 17-25. Having discovered that the biblical reading for the day of performance was Isaiah 65: verses 17-25, I was immediately inspired by the interesting words, and I set them to music very quickly and confidently.
I was already familiar with the literary style and prophetic voice of Isaiah, as in 1999 I had set words from Isaiah 35 in my piece, Isaiah 35: Three Advent Carols. I am very pleased with my liberal choice of keys and modulations in this work.
I enjoyed briefly quoting Britten’s Old Abram Brown at one point. I have discussed tonality and modulation elsewhere in this booklet, as it is a fascinating and important subject.
Good Friday Music (Seven Last Words) (2015) was written for liturgical use, to enhance Good Friday services, and vigils, by the use of thoughtful and contemplative music and silences.
I was somewhat impatient with the lack of these qualities in a Good Friday service I had recently experienced, when the string quartet which performed Haydn’s Seven Last Words received applause from the congregation. The focus was on the activity of the musicians, and English politeness was observed.
The spirit and poignancy of the occasion should have invoked silence. Words can be so beautiful when given focus of mind and thoughtful expression; and so, the music throughout the composition develops not at all, because the important thing is how the words turn to silence, and meditation.
The music is full of phrases which become familiar by repetition and recognition. And then there are passages completely free from leitmotifs, such as the setting of “Greater love hath no man than this: That a man lay down his life for his friends” which was originally written for a Taizé service in a church local to me; as there seemed to be no existing Taizé chant for those words. In my setting, I took no trouble to find different music for the words “This is my commandment: That ye love one another, as I have loved you” as I was specifically avoiding development. In my setting – after the final words “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” I wrote a final, paused, bar of silence and the indication that “This bar is everlasting peace; the congregation leaves in silent contemplation”.
Isaiah 35 – Three Advent Carols (1998)
1. Rejoice, you barren land
2. The Sofferent thatte seeth evere seycrette
3. The Wilderness and the Solitary Place
Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis & Pilgrim’s Song
from “The Star Child” (1979-1985)
4. Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis
5. Pilgrim’s Song
6. Rejoice! Rejoice! (2010)
7. In the Bleak Midwinter (2015)
8. Blessèd is the Man who Finds Wisdom (2015)
9. For Behold, I Create New Heavens and a New Earth (2018)
Good Friday Music (Seven Last Words) (2015)
10. The First Word
11. The Second Word
12. The Third Word
13 . The Fourth Word
14. The Fifth Word
15. The Sixth Word
16. The Seventh Word
Introducing the first recording devoted to the sacred choral music by award-winning Scottish composer Joanna Gill.
Joanna studied Composition under royal composer Paul Mealor, then moved to London to continue her studies in Composition for Film and Television at Kingston University.
Joanna was commissioned by His Majesty King Charles III to compose a new Scottish folk-song as part of the Honours of Scotland ceremony which took place on 5th July 2023 at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Her work “A Song of Thanksgiving and Dedication” was composed as a tribute to Aberdeen University chancellor Queen Camilla and showcased the Doric language. This song was performed at the ceremony by mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Ayoub sisters.
Joanna’s music has been performed by the BBC Singers, on BBC Radio 3, and in many prestigious venues including London’s Royal Albert Hall. Joanna is at home writing both choral and symphonic music, and has a natural ability to capture a range of moods and styles in one piece.
Paul Mealor writes ‘The music of Joanna Gill is one of intense spiritual joy, of heart-warming harmonies and of lively rhythmical spirit that is both deeply personal (almost autobiographical) and ‘all embracing’ – music from one soul to all others. Her work is unashamedly romantic, unpretentious and, like an open hand, a gift to all who perform or hear it.’
Editor's Note: The first collection of Joanna Gill’s choral works. Among the choral works included are seasonal pieces like “Before the paling of the stars,” A spotless rose,” “Drop down ye heavens,” “Evening snow,” “I heard the bells on Christmas Day,” “Look to the stable,” and “Sir Christemas.”
https://www.regent-records.co.uk/product/love-illuminates-joanna-gill/
Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Messe de Minuit
In Nativitatem H.416 & 421, etc.
Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Label's Description:
Marc-Antoine Charpentier was the French composer of the Grand Siècle who left the largest number of works specifically related to Christmas. Here, going beyond the famous Messe de Minuit, listeners will be all the more enchanted by his histoires sacrées (brief oratorios) and Noëls pour les instruments when they are presented by the composer’s most fervent advocates.
Sébastien de Brossard (1655-1730) ·Elevatio O miraculum!
Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704)
·In Nativitatem Domini Canticum H. 416
Præludium. "Usquequo avertis faciem tuam" ·
Nuit - Réveil des Bergers. "Cæli aperti sunt"
In Nativitate Domini N[ost]ri Jesu Christi Canticum H. 421
Messe de Minuit H. 9 : Kyrie
Joseph est bien marié (Noël sur les instruments H.534)
Messe de Minuit H. 9 : Gloria
Alma Redemptoris Mater H. 44
Messe de Minuit H. 9 : Credo
Laissez paître vos bêtes (Noël sur les instruments H. 534)
Messe de Minuit H. 9 : Sanctus
Messe de Minuit H. 9 : Agnus Dei
Te Deum H. 147
https://www.harmoniamundi.com/en/albums/charpentier-messe-de-minuit/
This album features Christmas music for the piano in a timeless journey through the decades and centuries. These songs have been through a remarkable evolution over the course of several centuries, with the changes they have undergone reflecting the shifting musical styles and cultural influences that prevailed in various times.
For this album, Jeroen van Veen has collected both well-known and lesser-known Christmas songs and arranged many of them for his own piano performance. The programme is freely, alternating slow with up-tempo and virtuosic with intimate songs. Some of the tracks are medleys combining two or more songs. Highlights include the ‘Christmas Fantasy’ by Alexander Rosenblatt, a virtuoso piece that combines several tunes, and the Fred Oldenburg version of ‘Silent Night’, written in answer to a challenge from some of the jazz teachers at the Enschede conservatory to use the strangest chords to harmonise the well-known song.
https://www.brilliantclassics.com/articles/m/merry-christmas-pianomania/
Mirabilis: The Music of Stephen HoughLondon Choral Sinfonia
This album will include several Christmas works.
9. Ding Dong Merrily on High
December
10. Advent Calendar
11. Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
12. Silent Night
13. The Gate of the Year
Three Marian Hymns
14. O Sanctissima
15. Salve Regina
16. Ave Maria
https://www.orchidclassics.com/releases/orc100256-lcs-hough/
Miracle of Miracles: Music for Hanukkah, Chicago A CapellaChicago a cappella,
the innovative vocal ensemble praised for its “clarity, well-balanced
tone, and deep emotional involvement” (Washington Post), presents
"Miracle of Miracles — Music for Hanukkah", a new recording aimed at
unveiling the richer meaning of the Festival of Lights, with music that
ranges from heartfelt prayers to jazzy and playful holiday favorites,
showcasing the creativity and vitality of American Jewish musical
traditions.
The album features a collection of songs from more
than 25 years of Chicago a cappella performances, arranged into a single
program that replays the story of Hanukkah, from celebrations of the
holiday itself through to its candles, miracles, religious observances,
and traditional food and games.
https://www.cedillerecords.org/albums/miracle-of-miracles/
Morgen, Kinder, wird's was geben. Ein musikalischer Adventskalender
The Christmas season can come. With this musical Advent calendar from the Landesmusikakademie Ochsenhausen, there is a new surprise every day.
Each day of Advent has its own song to shorten the waiting time for children and families. Old and new Christmas carols in enchanting arrangements, sometimes contemplative, sometimes rousing and as if for dancing along, prepare us for a joyful pre-Christmas season. With the children's choir SingsalaSing, the Ulmer Spatzenchor and many more.
Conductor: Christine Wetzel, Klaus K. Weigele, Michael Nonnemann, Klaus Brecht, Hans de Gilde
Orchestra/Ensemble: The Academy Collective 21, Jugendchor Voicelab, Kinderchor Singsalsing, Calmus Ensemble, Christophorus-Kantorei Altenstieg, Madchenchor des Ulmer Spatzen Chors
Performer: Barbara Comes, Stefan Gunther, Ludwig Bohme, Bobbi Fischer, Clara Weigele, Sophie Reichardt, Christine Rothe, Marcel Leczky
Label: Carus
Morning Star, the Gesauldo Six, Owain Park
Step into an enchanting sequence of festive works for the season of
Epiphany. Amidst the cold and frosty nights, composers capture a sense
of anticipation at what the new year may bring. This album weaves
together beloved seasonal carols spanning across centuries and bringing
warmth to the winter’s embrace.
Traditionally in the UK, the days preceding Twelfth Night have an air
of post-Christmas lull. It’s a sleepy time, as we look expectantly to
the promise of a new year. Days are cold and short, glistening with
frost and punctuated by long, dark nights.
But then there is ‘Little Christmas’—Epiphany, which comes from the
Greek ‘epiphaneia’, meaning ‘appearance’, and which is one of the three
principal and oldest festival days of the Christian Church. The
revelation of Jesus Christ to the world, the visit of the Magi, the
baptism of Jesus and the wedding at Cana are all celebrated at this
time. Following an old tradition, those who forget to take down their
Christmas trees on Epiphany eve must leave them untouched until
Candlemas: it is this period which forms the musical timeline for much
of this album.
There is no shortage of wonderful repertoire to explore at this time
of year. Full of hope and joy, much of it alluding to the ‘morning
star’, it offers a promise of renewal and rebirth. These works remind us
to celebrate the gifts we have received, and to wonder at the mystical
alchemy described in the Epiphany story. On this album we weave a
tapestry of well-known seasonal carols together with Renaissance gems
and highlights from the twenty-first century. We hope that the music
contained here reflects the joy we had performing it, as we return to
the chapel at Trinity College in Cambridge, where we made our first
festive album a few years ago. Owain Park © 2023
The Three Kings Peter Cornelius
INTROIT: Ecce advenit dominator Plainchant
Maria wallt zum Heiligtum Johannes Eccard
Ecce advenit Dominator Dominus William Byrd
GRADUAL: Omnes de Saba venient Plainchant
In Winter’s House Joanna Marsh
Mirabile mysterium Jacob Handl
Here is the little door Herbert Howells
ALLELUIA: Vidimus stellam Plainchant
Magi veniunt ab oriente C. non Papa
Morning Star Arvo Pärt
There is no rose Adrian Peacock
OFFERTORY: Reges Tharsis Plainchant
Tribus miraculis Lassus
Oh, send out thy light Owain Park
COMMUNION: Vidimus stellam Plainchant
In Mary’s Love Judith Bingham
Illuminare Jerusalem Manchicourt
Bethlehem of noblest cities Trad. arr. Park
Hyperion
Music on Christmas Morning: A Festive Mix of Fresh and Favourite Carols, Vasari Singers, Jeremy Backhouse
Christmas is a time for special musical experiences, from gentle
traditional carols to rousing calls for worship. This recording fully
represents the Vasari Singers’ renowned seasonal programmes, mixing
familiar festive fun with newly inspired creations such as the world
premiere recording of Helena Paish’s beautiful setting of words by the
youngest of the Brontë sisters. From the evocative narrative of Finzi’s In Terra Pax to the joyous potpourri of A Merry Little Christmas, this, like the Vasari Singers’ previous Christmas release, A Winter’s Light (Naxos 8.573030), is a recording to treasure. Martin Ford on organ. Directed by Jeremy Backhouse.
1. In Terra Pax, Christmas Scene - Finzi (with Rodrick Williams, baritone and Jocelyn Somerville soprano)
2. On Christmas night "Sussex Carol"
3. Christmas Lullaby - Rutter
4. A Spotless Rose - Howells (with R. Williams and Elizabeth Limb, soprano)
5. Venite, Gaudte! - Peacock
6. Music on Christmas Morning - Paish (with J. Somerville)
7. Dormi, Jesu - Rutter
8. Les anges dan nos campagnes - Chilcott
9. Quelle es cette odeur agreable? - Traditional (with R. Williams)
10. Dong dong! Merrily on High - Traditional
11. Candlelight Carol - Rutter
12. London Waits (Past Three o'clock) - Liewellyn (with R. Williams)
13. Nova, nova - Farrington
14. Sleep, Jesus, Sleep - Traditional
15. A Merry Little Christmas - Martin/Bernard/Styne/Berlin
16. We wish you a merry Christmsas - Tradiational
https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.574542
Vetra: My Norwegian Winter: Regnhild Hemsing
The Norwegian violinist Ragnhild Hemsing has always incorporated old, Norwegian traditions on her three previous albums for Berlin Classics.
This is mainly due to the fact that she not only plays the modern violin, but also the traditional Hardanger fiddle. Already on her first album "Røta" (meaning roots) she played chamber music with the Hardanger fidde. The album was awarded the OPUS Klassik. On the album "Peer Gynt" she played a very original version of Grieg's drama music together with the Trondheim Soloists. And on her last album she presented violin concertos as well as Hardanger-concertos together with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ragnhild Hemsing is thus not only an interpreter and representative of Norwegian musical tradition, but also preserves it and leads it into the modern age. In keeping with the pre-Christmas season, she dives deep into the musical tradition of her home region of Valdres on her new album "Vetra".
Winter is the central theme in all her works. The word "Vetra" comes from the dialect spoken in Valdes and means winter. In addition, she has gathered a group of outstanding musicians around her, all of whom are also very familiar with Norwegian musical history. The album will be out on CD, VINYL, as well as on all streaming services.
Some folk melodies are old, very old indeed. In the past, melodies and especially church songs were only ever passed on from mouth to mouth. Much was lost, some was changed again and again.
The Norwegian folk song tradition has a very long history and much has been preserved and handed down to this day. This is mainly thanks to the composer and scientist Ludvig Mathias Lindeman. He lived in Norway from 1812 to 1887 and travelled the various valleys and regions - always in search of myths and legends, melodies and verses.
He published a twelve-volume collection of folk songs under the title "Ældre og nyere norske Fjeldmelodier". In 1884 Lindeman also came to the Valdres region and recorded 86 church songs and 83 other melodies there. In Norway, these folk melodies, songs and dances are called "slåtter". It is above all the traditions of her homeland that Ragnhild Hemsing has drawn on for her album "Vetra".
https://www.berlin-classics-music.com/en/album/88547376-vetra/
The Nativity: Patrick Hawes, Voce Chamber ChoirOne of Britain’s most popular contemporary composers, Patrick Hawes,
has teamed up with the excellent Voce Chamber Choir of Connecticut to
create an album of twenty brand-new Christmas choral works. Specially
written for the choir, the first collection and album title, sets words
by Pat- rick’s poet brother Andrew. The Nativity, for unaccompanied
choir, moves through the Christmas nativity scene exploring the drama of
this momentous moment in human history. For the second collection,
Patrick has set Four Christmas Motets, the fragile ancient poetry giving
rise to tender and heartfelt music for unaccompanied choir. The album
goes on to explore the Christmas story through various texts, old and
new, in works that are set to become extremely popular with choirs
around the world.
Composer Patrick Hawes says “Christmas is my absolute favourite time
of year and it has been a joy to set such inspiring and dramatic words
to music. The variety of texts – from ancient to modern – are all so
relevant for today because they speak of eternal truths and the mystery
of the Christmas story. I am thrilled with how Voce and their director
Mark Singleton have brought a freshness of approach and musical
excellence to their interpretation of this exciting project.”
1. What Child is This
2. In Bethlehem
3. This Endernight
The Nativity
4. The Manger
5. The Infant
6. The Oxen
7. The Shepherd
8. The Star
9. the Magi
10. Joseph's Carol
11. Still Stil
12. Behold, the King
Four Christmas Motets
13. Virga Jesse
14. Puer Natus
15. Nesciens Mater
16. Gaudate Omnes
17. The Heart of Mary
18. Minstrels
19. Lullay My Liking
https://signumrecords.com/product/the-nativity/SIGCD752/
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV, N.A.: Christmas Eve [Opera] (G. Vasiliev, Muzychenko, A. Popov, Shkoza, Tikhomirov, Frankfurt Opera Chorus and Orchestra, Weigle)
Rimsky-Korsakov’s Christmas Eve, based on a short story by Gogol, centres on the love of the blacksmith Vakula for the rich farmer’s daughter Oksana, who mockingly requires him to obtain for her the Tsarina’s shoes in order to win her hand in marriage.
However, evil spirits are on the rampage imperiling their love – a witch on her broomstick gathers the stars and the devil steals the moon. Rimsky-Korsakov blends Christian and pagan elements, Ukrainian folk songs and carols, and atmospheric orchestral interludes in this vivacious and fantastical village romance.
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Act II Tableau 4: Kolyaduyu, kolyaduyu, kovbasu chuyu (I'm
singing carols) (Vakula, Chorus, Oksana, Panas, Two Women, Deacon, Chub,
Mayor)
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18:59
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Act III Tableau 5: Vareniki-to sami skachut v rot!… (The
vareniki are just jumping into his mouth) (Vakula, Patsyuk, Devil)
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06:39
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Act III Tableau 6: Introduction
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02:43
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Act III Tableau 6: Games and Dances of the Stars
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02:31
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Act III Tableau 6: Sobiraytesya, kolduny, veduny
(Assemble, witches and sorcerers!, "Diabolic Kolyada") (Patsyuk,
Solokha, Chorus, Vakula)
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05:37
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Act III Tableau 7: Polonaise: Slav', truba, timpan,
tsevnitsa… (Praise our Zsarina!) (Chorus)
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05:50
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Act III Tableau 7: Svetleyshiy obeshchal menya segodnya
(His Highness promised) (Tsarina, Vakula, Chorus, Devil)
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04:59
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8
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Act III Tableau 8: Vperyod, vperyod, moy kon'! (Onwards,
my steed!) (Vakula, Chorus)
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07:14
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9
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Act IV Tableau 9: Introduction
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01:27
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Act IV Tableau 9 Scene 1: Zdorovo, kum Korniy! (Greetings,
friend Chub!) (Two Women, Chub, Oksana)
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02:07
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Act IV Tableau 9 Scene 2: Propal kuznets (The blacksmith's
disappeared) (Oksana)
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06:29
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Act IV Tableau 9 Scene 3: Akh! Vakula!… Eto on! (Vakula!
It's him!) (Oksana, Chub, Vakula)
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04:16
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Act IV Tableau 9 Scene 4: Kuznets vernulsya zhiv i zdrav!
(The blacksmith's back alive) (Chorus)
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01:08
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Act IV Epilogue, "In memory of Gogol": Byl il'
ne byl u tsaritsy – ne skazhu ya vam, devitsy (I won't say if I met the
Tsarina or not) (Vakula, Chorus, Oksana, Chub, Panas, Mayor, Deacon)
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02:39
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https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.660543-44
Noël! Armonico Consort
Their second Christmas album on Signum Records, Armonico Consort and
Christopher Monks re- turn with a new album featuring a collection of
carols both old and new. They have created the perfect soundtrack for
those who love an atmosphere at Christmas.
Featuring world premiere
recordings by Composer Toby Young and the first ever recording of ‘Star
Song’ by Jonathan Dove on a Christmas album, there are also exquisitely
sublime versions from ‘Silent Night’ to ‘Away in a Manger’.
Signum Classics
1 O Adonai – Toby Young
2 On Christmas Night – Trad, arr. P. Ledger
3 The Shepherd’s Carol – Bob Chilcott
4 The Astronomer’s Carol –Toby Young
5 The Star-Song – Jonathan Dove
6 Away in a Manger – Trad. French
7 In the Bleak Midwinter – Harold Darke
8 Jesus Christ the Apple Tree – Elizabeth Poston
9 O Little Town of Bethlehem – Trad, Descant by R. Marlow
10 Nesciens Mater – Jean Mouton
11 Angel’s Carol – John Rutter
12 What Sweeter Music – John Rutter
13 O Magnum Mysterium – Tomás Luis de Victoria
14 Hope Finds a Way – Jonathan Roberts
15 Silent Night – Franz Xaver Gruber, arr. J. Rathbone
https://signumrecords.com/product/noel/SIGCD754/
Nova, Nova! Hertfordshire ChorusChristmas carols have a universal appeal stemming from the tradition of
music being played, sung, re- arranged and rewritten by different
generations in many different countries and over a number of centuries.
Louis Halsey’s Nova! Nova!, a collection of new arrangements of
many of the most well-known and beautiful carols from as far back as
medieval times, represents perhaps the largest collection of carols by a
single composer for many years. Hertfordshire Chorus and David Temple
have record- ed 23 of these carols in this beautifully presented new
collection, including English, German, French, Czech, Basque, Welsh and
Irish melodies.
1. Joy to the World
2. Ding! Dong! Merrily on High
3. Stille Nacht
4. Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day
5. This is the Truth Sent from Above
6. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
7. Noel Nouvelet
8. On Christmas Night all Christians sing
9.Il est ne le Divin Enfant
10. Now the Holly Bears a Berry
11. Unto us is Born a Son
12. Ein Kindlein in der Wiegen
13. Deck the Hall with Boughts of Holly
14. Of the Father's Heart Begotten
15. The Holly and the Ive
16. The Angel Gabriel
17. Jajej, Nynej, Jezisku
18. O Tannenbaum
19. Coventry Carol
20. Quelle Cette Odeur Agreable
21. Here we Come A-wassiling
22. In Dulci Jubilo
23. Come all You Worthy
Signum Classics
https://signumrecords.com/product/nova-nova-joy-to-the-world/SIGCD755/
The Nutcracker Suite
Chineke! Orchestra, Andrew Grams
Decca Classics (digital only)
Release: 27 October 2023
Chineke! Orchestra releases a toe-tapping rendition of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite, arranged and released in the 1960s by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. The work takes themes from Tchaikovsky's beloved 1892 festive ballet with a jazz twist.
1. I. Overture
2. II. Toot Toot Tootie Toot (Dance of the Reed-Pipes)
3. III. Dance of the Floreadores (Waltz of the Flowers)
5. V. Peanut Brittle Brigade (March)
Decca
No Small Wonder, Staint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fift Avenue New Work, Jeremy Filsell
Recorded May 23–25, 2022
Producer & Editor: Adrian Peacock
Recording Engineer: Mark Willey
Duration: 79’33”
APL53981
- Once in Royal David’s City Irby † | Philip Ledger (descant)
- Francis Segger, treble solo
- Rorate, caeli desuper | Leo Nestor
- Adam Lay Ybounden | Matthew Martin
- A Song of Wisdom＊| Charles Villiers Stanford
- Venite, Gaudete! | Adrian Peacock
- Fantasia, The Christmas Light: (Lux fulgebit hodie) Nicolas Haigh, organ | Simon Preston
- On Christmas Day † | Simon Preston
- The Blessed Virgin’s Cradle Song † William Hanoian, treble solo | Edward Bairstow
- God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen＊| arr. David Willcocks
- As I Outrode This Enderes Night＊| Gerald Hendrie
- Chanticleer＊| Richard Dirksen
- Ding Dong Merrily on High＊| Stephen Hough
- Toccata Festiva (from Partita for Piano 2019), Jeremy Filsell, organ | Stephen Hough
- No Small Wonder † | Paul Edwards
- Sussex Carol: On Christmas Night＊| arr. Philip Ledger
- In the Bleak Midwinter † John Ramseyer, tenor solo | Francis Pott
- Seek him that maketh the seven stars＊| Jonathan Dove
- Epiphany＊| Judith Bingham
- Epiphany Carol William Hanoian, treble solo | Alexander L’Estrange
- O come, all ye faithful Adeste Fideles † | J. F. Wade, arr. David Willcocks
- Jeremy Filsell, The Nancy B. & John B. Hoffmann Organist and Director of Music
＊Nicolas Haigh, Associate Organist
† Maks Adach, Assistant Organist
Fabricius: O liebes Kind – Baroque Christmas Music / La Protezione della Musica
“A heartfelt and joyous contemplation of the sweet Infant Jesus lying in the manger...“ - this quote by the songwriter Johann Rist gives us the theme for the collection of Christmas music by Werner Fabricius. The conductor of the ensemble La Protezione della Musica, Jeroen Finke, put together a cross-section of Werner Fabricius’ music focusing on Christmas music. Besides of a number of more intimate song settings for the Christmas festivities and some dance movements, he focuses on the two large vocal-instrumental compositions in Festo Nativitatis Christi from Fabricius’ most important work.
On Christmas Night: Carols from Merton
Choir of Merton College, Oxford, Benjamin Nicholas
Digital Only, releases Nov. 10, 2023.
Benjamin Nicholas and his Choir of Merton College Oxford present a starlit celebration of Advent choral music and Christmas carols from composers old and new.
Favourites including Of the Father’s Heart Begotten and In the Bleak Midwinter sit excitingly alongside new commissions and contemporary composers including Kerensa Briggs, Roxanna Panufnik, and Bulgarian-British composer Dobrinka Tabakova.
1. The lore at first did Adam make
2. A tender shoot
3. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
4. This is the truth sent from above
5. O magnum mysterium
6. Morning Star
7. Of a rose we sing
8. In the bleak midwinter
9. People look east
10. Sleep, little Jesus, sleep
11. Walcolm, Yule!
12. The Three Kings
13. Ave maris stella
14. Was I the Lamb
15. Alma Redemptoris
16. There is no rose
17. Sleep, Jesus sleep
18. O mortal man
19. Hodie Christus natus est
20. Ave Maria
21. Bogoroditse Devo
22. On Christmas Day
23. Of the Father's heart begotten
Delphian
https://www.delphianrecords.com/products/on-christmas-night-carols-from-merton
MAXWELL DAVIES, P.: O magnum mysterium: 4 Carols (Bavarian Radio Chorus, Arman)
1. Carol: O magnum mysterium
2. Carol: Hayle, comly and clene
3. Carol: Alleluia, pro Virgine Maria
4. Carol The fader of Heaven
Rutter Orchestral Carols
Britten Sinfonia, Daniel HydeLabel Description:
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, releases a selection of arrangements and original works for choir and orchestra by John Rutter under the direction of Daniel Hyde, featuring Britten Sinfonia. RUTTER ORCHESTRAL CAROLS includes beautiful orchestral arrangements of well-known favourites such as Silent Night and Sans Day Carol as well as
Rutter’s original carols All bells in paradise and All the stars looked down, which is dedicated to the late Sir Stephen Cleobury.
“It was a pleasure to record a handful of John’s carols, some old, some new, in these colourful orchestrations. Both John Rutter and the Britten Sinfonia are long term friends and partners with King’s College Choir; hopefully these new tracks will add a bit of magic to people’s Christmas this year.” – Daniel Hyde, Director of Music, King’s College
1. Silent Night - Gruber
2. All the Stars Looked Down - Rutter
3. Child in a Manger - Traditional Celtic - arr. Rutter
4. Sans Day Carol - arr. Rutter
5. Blake's Lullaby - Rutter
6. All the Bells in Paradise - Rutter
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/KG%200069
Digital Only
“Santtu Conducts The Nutcracker” marks the inaugural digital release by Philharmonia Records, showcasing Tchaikovsky’s enduring Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. Conducted by Santtu-Matias Rouvali, this performance, held at the Royal Festival Hall in 2021, captures the enchanting melodies of the ballet, from the music-box tones of the ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ to the ethereal ‘Waltz of the Flowers.’
Philharmonia Orchestra
Santtu-Matias Rouvali
https://signumrecords.com/product/santtu-conducts-the-nutcracker-suite-digital-only/SIGCD865/
Salisbury Christmas, The Choir of Salisbury Cathedral, David HallsReleased November 15, 2023.
Description from https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/salisbury-cathedral-launches-first-christmas-album-for-a-decade/ with changes for easier mobile viewing.
"On 15 November 2023, Salisbury Cathedral Choir is releasing its first Christmas album for over a decade on its own recently founded Salisbury Cathedral record label.
The album entitled Salisbury Christmas is a collection of Christmas
carols old and new, sung by Salisbury Cathedral Choir, with John
Challenger (organ), directed by David Halls.
The album features the full
Cathedral Choir, girl and boy choristers and adult singers, accompanied
on the famous ‘Father’ Willis organ.
Many works on the album have a particular Salisbury link. Several
carols are arrangements by the late Sir David Willcocks, Organist at
Salisbury Cathedral in the 1940s and subsequently Director of the Choir
of King’s College, Cambridge, famous for Carols from King’s on BBC
television and radio each Christmas Eve.
Herbert Howells, another former
organist, is represented in the beautiful carol, Sing lullaby along
with a new award-winning work, "Toccata on the Advent hymn ‘Wachet auf’",
by David Halls, the Cathedral’s current Director of Music.
Across the decades there has been another change, with work by women
composers included in the album line up. Amongst those is Errollyn
Wallen, the award-winning composer named as one of the BBC’s 100 Women
in 2018, who was commissioned by Salisbury Cathedral Choir to write "Salisbury Carol". Errollyn’s carol was first performed in Salisbury
Cathedral on 22 December 2022 and is a tribute to Her late Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II.
Other women composers include Cecilia McDowall, Sally Beamish and
Jeanne Demessieux. There is also a carol by contemporary favourite
composer, John Rutter.
As is fitting for a home-grown album, the cover image has been
supplied by Salisbury photographer and ICU consultant Martin Cook.
David Halls, Salisbury Cathedral’s Director of Music, said:
'Christmas is a very special time of year at the Cathedral, and we
welcome thousands of worshippers and concert goers over this very busy
period. The selection of works on this album incorporates several old
and well-known Christmas carols as well as newer works, and I’m
delighted that, through this new album, we can share the joy of
Christmas from Salisbury Cathedral with people at home.'
Physical copies of Salisbury Christmas are available to purchase from Salisbury Cathedral shop or online via the Cathedral’s website or streamed via this link.
Proceeds from sales of recordings released by Salisbury Cathedral
continue to support the Cathedral’s music funds, continuing our rich
tradition of music as well as enabling future projects."
1. God rest you merry - Trad. arr. Willcocks
2. In the stillness - Sally Beamish
3. Tocata: Wachet auf - David Halls
4. I sing of a maiden - Patrick Hadley
5. There shall a star - Felix Mendelssohn
6. Hymne a la Vierge - Pierre Villette
7. Rorate caeli - Jeanne Demessieux
8. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day - John Gardner
9. Before the paling of the stars - Cecilia McDowall
10. Candlelight Carol - John Rutter
11. In dulci jubilio (BWV 729) - J.S. Bach
12. Salisbury Carol - Errollyn Wallen
13. Sing lullaby - Herbert Howells
14 Hark the herald angels sing - Felix Mendelssohn
15. The Holy Boy - John Ireland
16. Sussex Carol - Trad arr. Willcocks
Season of Light: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, with Lea Salonga and Sir. David Suchet. Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy, conductors.
The traditional time-honored stories and beloved tales associated
with Christmas are indispensable to the celebrations.
"Good King
Wenceslas," for example, or Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Clement Clarke
Moore's "A Visit from Saint Nicolas," Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, Hans
Christian Andersen's "The Little Match Girl," O. Henry's "The Gift of
the Magi," and even a New York Sun newspaper column addressed to a
concerned young girl named Virginia.
Each of these Christmas stories
personifies a reminder that this is a time of joy, hope, compassion,
mercy, and love. But the greatest Christmas story of all, the one most
central to the season, is the story of a Holy Child born in a humble
manger.
That Nativity story begins the ultimate expression of love-a
divine love extended to all who ever lived-and is the reason for our
eternal hope.
Lavishly decorated with books of all sizes, the stage in
the 21,000-seat Conference Center in Salt Lake City became a "library"
for The Tabernacle Choir's celebration of these myriad Christmas
stories. There were tales told through music, dance, and narrative of
excited shepherds on the hills outside of Bethlehem, of heroism during
wartime, of sleigh rides and caroling, of the challenges of new
motherhood, and of faith in a Savior who would redeem the whole
world.
The Choir's special guests at this concert, famed actress and
singer Lea Salonga and renowned star of television and film Sir David
Suchet, joined in the storytelling and shared their own personal
accounts of the truths celebrated at Christmas. With the Choir,
Orchestra, and Bells at Temple Square, the Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble, and
dancers from the local community, all joined together to proclaim a
joyful "Noel!" at the good news of Christ's birth.
1. When shepherds saw the light - Traditional, Arr. Mack Wilberg
2. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Music and Text: Eddie Pola and George Wyle, Arrr. Michael Davis
3. Payapang Daigdig - music - Felipe de Leon, text Brigido Batungbakal and Eduardo de Leon, Arr. M. Wilberg
4. And then shall your light break forth (from Elijah) - F. Mendelssohn
5. Ding Dong! Merrily on High - Arr. Ryan Murphy
6. Christmas Together Medley - Arr. Ryan Murphy
Sleigh Ride - L. Anderson
I'll be home for Christmas - Walter Kent
O Holy Night - Adolphe Charles Adam
7. Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming - Kolner Gesangbuch. Arr. M. Wilberg
8. Hosanna in excelsis (Based on Canon in D) - J. Pachelbel, Arr. Mack Wilberg
9. Here we come a-caroling - Arr. Mack Wilberg
10. On Christmas Night ("Sussex Carol") - Arr. Richard Elliott (with themes by Camile Saint-Saens)
11. The Christmas Story - music Mack Wilberg
13. Rocking Carol - traditional Czech, Arr. M. Wilberg
14. Angels from the Realms of Glory - arr. M. Wilberg
Star of Bethlehem Lead us to Peace, 2022 Concordia Christmas ConcertExperience the Emmy Award-winning Concordia
Christmas Concerts! "Star of Bethlehem, Lead Us to Peace," the 2022
Concordia Christmas Concert, features nearly 300 student musicians
performing works by J. Robert Hanson, Stephen Paulus, Rosephanye Powell,
John Rutter, René Clausen, Paul J. Christiansen, and more.
- Prelude on How Brightly Shines the Morning Star - J. Robert Hanson
- Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Edward Cuthbert Bairstow
- How Far is it to Bethlehem? - arr. Paul J. Christiansen
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - arr. J. Robert Hanson
- O Holy Night - arr. René Clausen
- Splendid Jewel - Stephen Paulus
- Over the Hills Young Mary Hastes - Johannes Eccard, edited Susan Cherwien
- O Magnum Mysterium - Ivo Antognini
- What Child is This - arr. Matthew Culloton
- This Endris Night - Sarah Quartel
- Shepherd's Pipe Carol
- Ogo ni fun Oluwa! - Rosephanye Powell
- All My Heart This Night Rejoices - Z. Randall Stroope
- Rise Up Shepherd and Follow - arr. Paul Nesheim
- Silent Night - arr. René Clausen
- Praise to the Lord - arr. F. Melius Christiansen
- Dona Nobis Pacem - Ralph Vaughan Williams
- Songs of Thankfulness and Praise - arr. René Clausen
- I Will Be a Child of Peace - arr. Elaine Hagenberg, orch. Matthew Culloton
- Compline - arr. René Clausen
Sweet Was te Song: Christmas at Tewkesbury Abbey, Tewkesbury Abbey Scola Cantorum, Simon Bell
Sweet was the Song is a collection of festive repertoire featuring many first recordings of new music from the 21st century.
Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum is the choir of choristers and
lay clerks that sings the weekday services of Choral Evensong in the
Abbey during school term time.
In 2006, Dean Close Preparatory School
became the choir school for the choristers of Schola Cantorum, following
the closure of the former Abbey School in Tewkesbury. Every year since
then, the Dean Close Schools have commissioned a new Christmas carol,
all of which have been performed by the Schola Cantorum and the Senior
School’s Chapel Choir at their respective carol services.
On this album,
nine of these commissioned works are featured, forming the backbone of
the programme, with first recordings of works by Alexander L’Estrange,
Owain Park, Kerensa Briggs, Ben Ponniah, Malcolm Archer, Carleton
Etherington, and Neil Cox.
Recorded in the glorious acoustic of Tewkesbury Abbey the
recording also features two organ solo pieces from David Bednall and
George Baker, played by Carleton Etherington.
- Adam lay ybounden - Philip Stopford
- Isaiah's Prophecy (commission)- Alexander L'Estrange
- This is the truth send from aboe - Trad., arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams and Christopher Robinson
- The holly and the ivy - French trad., arr. June Nixon
- Lullay my liking (commission) - Owain Park
- Susanni (commission) - Grayston Ives
- Sweet was the song the Virgin sang (commission) - Kerensa Briggs
- Sussex Carol - Trad., arr. Philip Ledger
- O little on sweet (commission) - Ben Ponniahh
- As I sat on a sunny bank (commission) - Malcolm Archer
- Moonless darkness stands between (commission) - Philip Wilby
- I wonder as I wander - Carol Rutti
- Wie schon lechtet (Meditation) - David Bednall (organ solo)
- I sing of a maiden (premiere recordings) - Carleton Etherinton
- Ding dong! merrily on high - 16th century French melody, arr. Stuart Nicholson
- Three are the precious gifts (commission) - Neil Cox
- Before the paling of the stars (commisssion) - James Laino
- Nowell we sing - Matthew Martin
- Toccata-Gigue on the Sussex Carol - George Baker (organ solo)
https://www.regent-records.co.uk/product/sweet-was-the-song/
Tidings of Joy - Christmas with the Voktett Hannover
Rondeau Production ROP6220
Release: 20 October 2023
Like twinkling starlight, the joyful tidings of Christmas run through
centuries of music – from Bethlehem's night sky to the present day. In
their new album 'Tidings of Joy', the eight singers of the Voktett
Hannover present a selection of Christmas music in sophisticated a
cappella settings.
The recording contains works by well-known composers
such as Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Gottfried Wolters, Hugo Distler,
Heinrich Schütz, Michael Praetorius, Max Reger and Peter Cornelius,
arranged by Clytus Gottwald (1925-2023). Contemporary settings and
equally familiar melodies come from Sebastian Knappe (born 1989), David
Willcocks (1919-2015), James Lord Pierpont (1822-1893) and Irving Berlin
(1888-1989), among others, in the arrangement by Jeremy Davies.
1. Sech Spruche, Op. 79: Im Advent
2. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
3. Veni, Emmanuel
4. Zwolf deutsche geistliche Gesange WoO VI/13
5. Sechs Spruche, Op. 79 Weihnachten
6. Kommet, ihr Hirten
7. Kie Konige
8. Maria durch ein Dornwald ging
9. Die Weihnachtsgeschichte, Op. 10 (Ausgewahte Chorale)
10. Ein Kind ist uns geboren
11. In dulci jubilo
12. Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day
13. Tiding of Comfort and Joy
14. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
15. Jingle Bells
16. White Christmas
This recording off of ECM, is not all Christmas, but does contain Part's compositions on the Greater Antiphons.I. O Wisdom
II. O Adonai
III. O Root of Jesse
IV. O Key of David0
V. O Morning Star0
VI. O King of all People
VII. O Emmanuel03:0
Tractus emphasizes Arvo Pärt compositions
that blend the timbres of choir and string orchestra. New versions
predominate, with focused performances from the Tallinn Chamber
Orchestra and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under Tõnu
Kaljuste’s direction that invite alert and concentrated listening. From
the opening composition Littlemore Tractus, which takes as its
starting point consoling reflections from a sermon by John Henry Newman,
the idea of change, transfiguration and renewal resonates, setting a
tone for a recording whose character is one of summing up, looking
inward, and reconciling with the past. Compositions included are Littlemore Tractus, Greater Antiphons, Cantique des degrés, Sequentia, L’abbé Agathon, These Words… and Veni creator. An evocative reworking of Vater unser for choir, strings and piano concludes this album. Recorded in Tallinn last year and produced by Manfred Eicher, Tractus extends the line of definitive Arvo Pärt albums begun on ECM New Series with the epochal Tabula rasa in 1984.
Editor's Note: This appear to be a reissue of previous recordings or a reissue of a singular album.
In his 50-year tenure as conductor of The Boston Pops, Arthur Fiedler transformed the Boston Symphony Orchestra offshoot into perhaps the most renowned pops orchestra in the world.
He famously incorporated the music of The Beatles into his programs and began the tradition of the Pops concert and fireworks every July 4th on Boston’s Esplanade.
Along with the Fourth, one holiday was closely associated with Fiedler and the Pops: Christmas! The orchestra introduced Leroy Anderson’s now-classic “Sleigh Ride” in 1948, and the very next year recorded it for RCA Victor. That first-ever recording, shockingly never before issued on CD, opens Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records’ definitive celebration of Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops’ holiday recordings.
The Ultimate Pops Christmas Party! lives up to its title with 2 CDs and 35 tracks of yuletide cheer in the grand and lavish Boston Pops fashion.
Spanning 1949-1971, The Ultimate Pops Christmas Party! includes two full albums: the original 1959 Pops Christmas Party in RCA’s Living Stereo splendor and 1969’s new-to-CD Christmastime in Carol and Song.
The latter found Fiedler away from Boston and conducting in New York with some very special guests: legendary soprano Leontyne Price and beloved pop duo Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. The Ultimate Pops Christmas Party! also features numerous festive rarities from various singles and albums over the years including such classics as the Pops’ original version of “The Christmas Festival,” “The Toy Trumpet” with Al Hirt, and highlights from Babes in Toyland and The Nutcracker Suite.
The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese provides the new liner notes, and everything has been beautifully remastered at Sony’s Battery Studios. Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops’ The Ultimate Pops Christmas Party! is a very merry one, and you’re invited!
1. Sleigh Ride
2. The Christmas Festival
3. Panis Angelicus
4. Ave Maria
5. Ave Maria 6. Fantasia on "Greensleeves"/Babes in Toyland
7. March of the Toys 8. A Christmas Festival: Joy to the World/Deck the Halls/Good King Wenceslas/God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/The First Nowell/Silent Night/Jingle Bells/O Come, All Ye Faithful (Medley)
9. White Christmas
10. Sleigh Ride
11. Winter Wonderland
12. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers/Hansel and Gretel
13. Dream Pantomime/German Dances, K. 605
14. Sleigh Ride, No. 3
15. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
16. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
17. Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
18. Sleigh Ride
19. Toyland/March of the Toys (Excerpt from "Victor Herbert Favorites" Medley)
20. The Toy Trumpet
21. Joy to the World/Jingle Bells/Away in a Manger/We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Medley)
22. Carol of the Bells
23. Go Tell it on the Mountain
24. Silent Night
25. Hurry Home for Christmas
26. I Wonder as I Wander
27. Here We Come A-Caroling/O Christmas Tree/I Saw Three Ships (Medley)
28. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
29. Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a:
30. Overture
31. Russian Dance (Trepak)
32. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
33. Dance of the Reed Flutes
34. Ave Maria
35. The Little Drummer Boy
36. March of the Toys/My Favorite Things/Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (Medley)
1. Sleigh Ride
2. The Christmas Festival
3. Panis Angelicus
4. Ave Maria
5. Ave Maria
6. Fantasia on "Greensleeves"/Babes in Toyland
7. March of the Toys
8. A Christmas Festival: Joy to the World/Deck the Halls/Good King Wenceslas/God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/The First Nowell/Silent Night/Jingle Bells/O Come, All Ye Faithful (Medley)
9. White Christmas
10. Sleigh Ride
11. Winter Wonderland
12. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers/Hansel and Gretel
13. Dream Pantomime/German Dances, K. 605
14. Sleigh Ride, No. 3
15. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
16. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
17. Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
18. Sleigh Ride
19. Toyland/March of the Toys (Excerpt from "Victor Herbert Favorites" Medley)
20. The Toy Trumpet
21. Joy to the World/Jingle Bells/Away in a Manger/We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Medley)
22. Carol of the Bells
23. Go Tell it on the Mountain
24. Silent Night
25. Hurry Home for Christmas
26. I Wonder as I Wander
27. Here We Come A-Caroling/O Christmas Tree/I Saw Three Ships (Medley)
28. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
29. Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a:
30. Overture
31. Russian Dance (Trepak)
32. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
33. Dance of the Reed Flutes
34. Ave Maria
35. The Little Drummer Boy
36. March of the Toys/My Favorite Things/Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (Medley)
Real Gone Music
Under a Winter's Moon, Loreena McKennittUnder A Winter's Moon features 15 seasonal songs performed by
Loreena, interspersed with seasonal readings by Canadian Indigenous
actor and Companion of the Order of Canada, Tom Jackson, Gemini
Award-winning actor Cedric Smith and Ojibway artist and flutist Jeffrey
"Red" George.
Loreena McKennitt’s Under A Winter’s Moon
was recorded live during a series of seasonal concerts in a historic
church sanctuary around the time of the solstice in December 2021. The
two-disc package features approximately an hour’s worth of music and
half an hour of spoken word which intertwine to create a unique and
evocative seasonal listening experience.
Disc: 1
1. Tom Jackson Reads the Sky Woman Story
2. Bululalow
3. Let Us the Infant Greet
4. The Wexford Carol
5. Banquet Hall
6. Dickens Dublin
7. Un Flambeau Jeanette, Isabelle/I saw Three Ships Medley
8. Jeffrey George Recites Winter Diamonds
9. Huron Carol
10. Let All That Are to Mirth Inclined
Disc: 2
1. Snow
2. A Child's Christmas in Wales, Part One
3. The Holly and the Ivy
4. A Child's Christmas in Wales, Part Two
5. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman
6. A Child's Christmas in Wales, Part Three
7. Gloucestershire Wassail
8. A Child's Christmas in Wales, Part Four
9. Good King Wenceslas
10. A Child's Christmas in Wales, Part Five
11. Coventry Carol
12. A Child's Christmas in Wales, Part Six
13. In the Bleak Midwinter
https://shoploreenamckennitt.com/products/under-a-winters-moon-3lp
Choral Music (Christmas) - NILES, J.J. / JOUBERT, J. / KIRKPATRICK, W.J. / HOLST, G. (Venite, Gaudete: Music for the Christmas Season) (Ikon, D. Hill)
This glorious programme represents both the unique magic of Christmas carols, and the deeply rooted tradition of re-inventing their words and music for the times in which they are performed. From David Hill’s unashamedly lush, close-part harmonies enhancing Silent Night, to Eric Whitacre’s hallmark luminous vocal textures in "Lux aurumque," this recording is a superb celebration of the moving atmosphere and festive nature of the Christmas season.
- O Come Emmanuel - arr. David hill
- Coventry Carol - Trad. arranger Richard Allain
- I wonder, as I wander - Trad. arr. Richard Rodney Bennett
- Torches, Op. 7 - Trad. arr. John Joubert
- Away in a manger - William J. Kirkpatrick, arr. David Hill
- Lullay my liking - Gustav Holst. arr. David Hill for choir and organ
- In dulci jubilo, Op. 10 - Robert Lucas Pearsall
- Angelus ad virginem - arr. Barry Rose for choir and organ
- Silent Night - Franz Xavier Gruber/Josef Mohr. arr. David Hill for choir and organ
- Resonet in laudibus - Michael Praetorius. arr. D. Hiley for choir
- The World's Desire: The Christ-child lay - Kenneth Leighton/G.K. Chesterton
- Bethlehem Down - Peter Warlock. arr. D. Hill
- Long, long ago - Herbert Howells/John Buxton
- Venite, gaudete! - Adrian Peacock
- Lux aurumque - Eric Whitacre
- Ex Maria Virgine: VIII. Rocking - John Tavener
- Adam Lay Ybounden - Matthew Martin. Arr. Stuart Nicholson
- Ding Dong! Merrily on High - arr. S. Nicholson for choir and organ
- O Come, a ye faithful - arr. D. Hill for choir and organ
Label: Naxos
Cambridge Chorale under Owain Park Released "The Very Best Time of the Year"Ensemble Description:
Composers throughout the centuries have been captivated by the mystery and wonder of the festive season. Some of the most enchanting melodies appear at Christmas, all filled with a sense of anticipation and promise.
This album brings together some of our favourite seasonal pieces: from renaissance composers including Byrd and Morales, through to the 21st century with Bob Chilcott and Sally Beamish. As singers, we cherish this music, and know that we are lucky to be custodians of such a treasure trove. We hope this collection brings listeners the same joy we had while performing it – during the very best time of year. - Laetentur coeli - William Byrd
- To Bethlem did they go - Howard Skempton
- O magnum mysterium - Cristobal de Morales
- Adam lay ybounden - Owain Park
- Jingle Bells - James Lord Pierport, Arr. Ben Parry
- A tender shoot - Karensa Briggs
- Gabriel's Message - Jim Clements
- O little one sweet - J.S. Bach
- The Holy Child - Owain Park
- A winter bloom - Owain Park
- A Great and Mighty Wonder - M. Praetorius, arr. Erling Pederson
- Today the Virgin - John Tavener
- Here is the little door - Owain Park
- In the stillness - Sally Beamish
- the Pear Three Carol - Bob Chilcott
- Away in a manger - arr. Reginald Jacquez
- Balulalow - Francis Pott
- I wonder as I wander - Owain Park
- Nesciens mater - Jean Mouton
- Silent Night - Franz Gruber, arr. Simon Morley
- Bethlehem down - Peter Warlock
- The Very Best time of the Year - John Rutter, arr. Owain Park
A Very Dreyfoos Christmas
DSOA Singers/DSOA Singers Ensemble
“A Very Dreyfoos Christmas” is a delightful and sublime collection of Christmas & Holiday Music by the DSOA Singers & Singers Ensemble”
“A pleasing combination of exceptional talent, superior performance, and state-of-the-art sound engineering make this album a collectible treasure for generations to come.”
The (DSOA) Dreyfoos School of the Arts Singers & Singers Ensemble
The Vocal Department of Dreyfoos School of the Arts (DSOA) is comprised of several chorus ensembles. Featured in this album are the DSOA Singers and the auditioned DSOA Singer’s Ensemble. These are groups of students selected for their superior performing and sight-reading ability. Dreyfoos School of the Arts is an all-arts public magnet school in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Ken Taylor, Director of Choral Studies
Ken Taylor is Director of Choral Studies at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts. This year he was named the 2023 winner of the Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Arts.
Evan Schultz, Recording Engineer
Evan Schultz, a former recording engineer at the Juilliard School, New York, has recorded and mastered for artists and ensembles from several national symphonies. His work has been broadcast on American Public Media’s “Performance Today” reaching 1.6 million weekly listeners.
Arnfield Cudal, Composer & Executive Producer
Dr. Arnfield Cudal is Executive Producer of HARK Music Publications, a ministry of HARK Ministries Inc., a Florida non-profit organization which publishes books, music, and various Christian resources serving educators, ministers, students, and audiences worldwide.
A Winter Breviary, St. Martins's Voices, Andrew EarisIn this, their debut recording with Resonus Classics, St Martin's
Voices presents a selection of contemporary choral works for the
Christmas season. With settings of poetry from the fifteenth century to
the present day, these new carols explore themes of winter snowscapes,
the anticipation and contemplation of Advent, the Christmas story as
seen by the women at its heart, and the joy of coming in from the cold
to celebrate together.
In a programme made entirely of premiere recordings, this album
features works by Cecilia McDowall, Roderick Williams and Lucy Walker,
among others. The album also boasts a major new carol suite by Bob
Chilcott, with libretto by Georgia Way entitled Mary, Mother, which was
premiered by the ensemble in 2022.
Olivia Sparkhall (b.1976)
1. All and some
Cecilia McDowall (b.1951)
2. There is no rose
Reena Esmail (b.1983)
A Winter Breviary
3. We Look For You
(Evensong – Raag Hamsadhwani)
4. The Year’s Midnight
(Matins – Raag Malkauns)
5. The Unexpected Early Hour
(Lauds – Raag Ahir Bhairav)
Sarah MacDonald (b.1968)
The Manger is Empty
6. Like the snow in winter
7. As among broken glass
8. The manger is empty
Nils Greenhow (b.1989)
9. Advent Calendar
Thomas Hewitt Jones (b.1984)
10. Love is the Answer
Lucy Walker (b.1998)
The Christmas Life
11. The Christmas Life
12. We shall walk
13. The Angels’ Song
Yshani Perinpanayagam (b.1983)
14. When God made Eve
Roderick Williams (b.1965)
15. Queen Elizabeth’s Winchester
Carol (The Royal Carol)
Bob Chilcott (b.1955)
Mary, Mother
16. A child in Galilee
17. Carpentry Carol
18. After the angel
19. Walking Carol
20. Dear heart
21. Hymn
https://www.resonusclassics.com/products/a-winter-breviary-music-for-christmas
For this latest release in Regent’s collectable ‘A Year at…’ series we travelled to Llandaff Cathedral to showcase the choir there under the expert direction of Stephen Moore. There has been a Christian presence in Llandaff from the time of Saint Teilo in the sixth century, making it one of the oldest Christian sites in the UK.
Many will have heard the Cathedral’s accomplished choir in their worldwide television broadcast in the presence of King Charles and Queen Camilla following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
This recording, like others in this series takes us on a journey through the church’s year from Advent to All Saints, reflecting the varied musical moods of each season. This selection of music mainly features works from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including recent compositions by Bob Chilcott, Jonathan Dove, and Will Todd.
The choir is accompanied on the new Nicholson organ, installed in 2010 – the largest entirely new instrument built in a British cathedral by a British organ builder since the 1960s. Two large-scale organ solos are played by Assistant Organist, Aaron Shilson, and Director of Music, Stephen Moore, and showcasing the full tonal and dynamic range of this impressive instrument.
The music department of Llandaff Cathedral is a busy and productive one with seven choral services in a typical week. The present incarnation of the Cathedral Choirs began in 1880 when Dean of Llandaff, Henry Vaughan, founded the Cathedral School to educate the Boy Choristers.
The Girl Choristers were established separately by the Cathedral School in 1996 and, until 2021, had their own director who was a member of staff there. In an historic change, the girls were formally welcomed into the Cathedral music department in 2021 and, from September 2022, parity of opportunity was realised for girls and boys. The choristers all attend the Cathedral School and take an equal share of weekly duties, usually – as on this recording – singing independently of one another and occasionally together.
Editor's Note: Although not a Christmas album, it does contain some seasonal tracks including, for Advent, “Creator of the stars of night” arranged by John Scott and “Nova! Nova!” by Bob Chilcott; for Christmas, Gustav Holst’s “In the bleak mid-winter” arranged by Mack Wilbeg; for Epiphany, “Epiphanie” by Gaston Litaize; for the Baptism of Christ, “Don to the river” arranged by Philip Lawson; and for Candelmas, “Vast ocean of light” by Jonathn Dove.
https://www.regent-records.co.uk/product/a-year-at-llandaff/
Yes, Virginia! There is a Santa Clause, Vincent Oppido
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