BR Klassik releases Maxwell Davies' "O Magnum Mysterium" to Stream

BR Klassik releases Maxwell Davies' "O Magnum Mysterium" to Stream

MAXWELL DAVIES, P.: O magnum mysterium: 4 Carols (Bavarian Radio Chorus, Arman)

https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=900851

St. Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York Issues "No Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season"

St. Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York Issues "No Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season"

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

1. Once in Royal David’s City Irby † | Philip Ledger (descant)
2. Francis Segger, treble solo
3. Rorate, caeli desuper | Leo Nestor
4. Adam Lay Ybounden | Matthew Martin
5. A Song of Wisdom＊| Charles Villiers Stanford
6. Venite, Gaudete! | Adrian Peacock
7. Fantasia, The Christmas Light: (Lux fulgebit hodie) Nicolas Haigh, organ | Simon Preston
8. On Christmas Day † | Simon Preston
9. The Blessed Virgin’s Cradle Song † William Hanoian, treble solo | Edward Bairstow
10. God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen＊| arr. David Willcocks 
11. As I Outrode This Enderes Night＊| Gerald Hendrie
12. Chanticleer＊| Richard Dirksen
13. Ding Dong Merrily on High＊| Stephen Hough
14. Toccata Festiva (from Partita for Piano 2019), Jeremy Filsell, organ | Stephen Hough
15. No Small Wonder † | Paul Edwards
16. Sussex Carol: On Christmas Night＊| arr. Philip Ledger
17. In the Bleak Midwinter † John Ramseyer, tenor solo | Francis Pott
18. Seek him that maketh the seven stars＊| Jonathan Dove
19. Epiphany＊| Judith Bingham
20. Epiphany Carol William Hanoian, treble solo | Alexander L’Estrange
21. O come, all ye faithful Adeste Fideles † | J. F. Wade, arr. David Willcocks
22. Jeremy Filsell, The Nancy B. & John B. Hoffmann Organist and Director of Music

＊Nicolas Haigh, Associate Organist
† Maks Adach, Assistant Organist

https://www.acisproductions.com/st-thomas-fifth-ave-nyc-men-and-boys-christmas-no-small-wonder

2016: Working List of New Classical & Choral Christmas Recordings

 

2016: Working List of New Classical  and Choral Christmas Recordings

Updated: Dec. 30, 2025

Adeste Fideles: Christmas Carols from Her Majesty's Chapel Royal

Adeste Fideles: Christmas Carols from her Majesty's Chapel Royal by Various artists - The English choral Christmas album has tended toward innovation, and it's good to hear that there's still a place for the traditional kind, with lightly embroidered traditional hymns, just ever so slightly wobbly, but utterly endearing, boy sopranos, and strongly diatonic Christmas compositions that are consistently and simply rapt in mood.

1. Sans Day Carol English Traditional arr. John Rutter

2. Mary Had a Baby American Spiritual, arr. Malcolm Sargent

3. Jesus Christ the Apple Tree Elizabeth Poston

4. Once in Royal David’s City Henry John Gauntlett, arr. Arthur Henry Mann & David Willcocks

5. Sussex Carol English Traditional, arr. David Willcocks

6. The Lamb John Tavener

7. A Maiden Most Gentle French Melody, arr. Andrew Carter

8. Hosanna to the Son of David Thomas Weelkes

9. The Three Kings Jonathan Dove, arr. Ivor Atkins

10. A Spanish Carol Spanish Traditional, arr. Andrew Carter

11. Suo G?n – Welsh Traditional arr. George Guest

12. There Shall a Star Come Out of Jacob Felix Mendelssohn

13. O Little Town of Bethlehem English Traditional, arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams

14. I Saw Three Ships English Traditional, arr. David Willcocks

15. The Little Road to Bethlehem Michael Head

16. Ding Dong! Merrily on High French Traditional, arr. Charles Wood

17. A New Year Carol Benjamin Britten

18. Blessed Jesu! Here We Stand Richard Popplewell

19. Ave Maria Igor Stravisnky

20. Adeste Fideles John Francis Wade

21. Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar Peter Cornelius

22. De Virgin Mary American Spiritual, arr. Malcolm Sargent

23. The Holly and the Ivy John Gardner

24. A Spotless Rose Herbert Howells

25. Hark the Herald Angels Sing! Felix Mendelssohn, arr. David Willcocks

26. We Wish You a Merry Christmas English Traditional, arr. Andrew Gant

https://signumrecords.com/product/adeste-fideles/SIGCD460/

For many, Christmas time and music are inseparable. There have been countless songs, carols and musical compositions written on the theme of Christmas. Whether sacred or secular, music is an integral part of this festive holiday. When choosing which pieces to include on this Christmas album, we wanted to create one large opus that would serenade not only horn aficionados, but listeners all over the world, bringing them into the Christmas season. Following a previous successful collaboration on a large horn ensemble project, it was clear that the American Horn Quartet and horns of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra were destined to combine forces once more. 

This Christmas album is the result, and will be the last from the AHQ before their retirement. Thanks to the great artistry and support of all those involved, this magical program came into being, serving not only as a farewell to the horn world from the American Horn Quartet, but as a musical gift to the world at large. Merry Christmas!

In its 30th and final season, the American Horn Quartet is unique in the field of brass chamber music. The AHQ’s exuberant performances have brought audiences all over the world to their feet. In 1982, four American horn players who were working and residing in Europe met for the first time to explore the potential of the horn quartet, a chamber music formation with a much longer tradition than most people realize. 

Mastering the already existing repertoire, they subsequently went on to compose, arrange and commission new works for the horn quartet. The individual members of the AHQ are successful soloists in their own right, having won top international competitions in New York, Geneva, Prague, Passau, Markneukirchen and Munich. 

]As a quartet, they took top honors at numerous chamber music competitions, including the Philip Jones International Brass Chamber Music Competition in Barcs, Hungary; the Notamus Competiton in Brussels, Belgium; and the Tokyo International Chamber Music Competition in Japan.. Over the past 20 years, besides being featured at horn and brass festivals around the globe, the American Horn Quartet has established itself at regular chamber music concert series on the international circuit. 

They have also appeared as soloists with numerous symphony orchestras, among them the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Brabants Orchestra of Eindhoven, Sinfonia Varsovia, Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio and Queensland Symphony Orchestra. 

Some of the highlights of the AHQ’s performing career include their appearance at the Barbican Centre in London, with the Tonhalle-Orchester in Zürich. 

This was a recording collaboration with the horn section of the New York Philharmonic, a recital in Melbourne, Australia, with horn soloist legend Barry Tuckwell, performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., an appearance at the Hollywood Bowl, and a five-minute standing ovation at the 20th International Horn Society Workshop in Tallahassee, Florida. 

In total, the AHQ has presented more than 500 concerts and master classes worldwide, and produced ten critically acclaimed CDs. For individual biographies of the AHQ members, visit www.hornquartet.com.

https://www.msrcd.com/cd/the-christmas-album/

2016
Christ Church Manchester

Signum Classics

Christmas Carols Old And New For String Quartet

1. Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
2. What Sweeter Music Can We Bring
3. The Friendly Beasts
4. Shepherds
5. The Angel Gabriel
6. King Wenceslas' Feast
7. Christmas Lullaby
8. The Huron Carol
9. The Star
10. The Journey of the Magi
11. What Child Is This (Greensleeves)

 

Sir David Valentine Willcocks CBE MC (30 December 1919–17 September 2015) was one of the most influential choirmasters of his age, working with singers of all ages, moulding voices and raising standards in all his work.

This recording features twenty-three of his best-known arrangements, ranging from exquisite gems of quiet stillness to rousing shouts of majestic praise, sung by the Choir of Worcester Cathedral. The Cathedral Choir is joined by the Worcester Festival Choral Society and Sennet Brass for the magnificent large-scale favourites, including O come, all ye faithful and Hark! the herald-angels sing.

Christopher Allsop organ, Peter Nardone director
1. O come, all ye faithful * 7:30
2. Sussex Carol 2:12
3. God rest you merry, gentlemen 3:38
4. Ding, dong! merrily on high * 2:34
5. Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing? 4:35
6. Angelus ad virginem 2:50
7. Once in royal David’s city * 4:38
8. The infant King 3:59
9. Gabriel’s message 3:06
10. Unto us is born a son * 2:35
11. Cherry tree carol 2:07
12. Rocking 2:17
13. While shepherds watched * 2:40
14. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day 2:17
15. Infant holy, infant lowly 2:09
16. It came upon the midnight clear * 3:45
17. Away in a manger 2:56
18. I saw three ships 2:12
19. The first nowell * 5:51
20. Resonemus laudibus 2:01
21. O come, O come, Emmanuel 4:09
22. Deck the hall 1:30
23. Hark, the herald-angels sing * 4:04

The Royal Ballet Sinfonia

Simon Hewitt Jones violin

Gavin Sutherland conductor


1. Christmas Party

2. Child of the Stable’s Secret Birth

3. Cameron’s Lament – Christmas Version

https://signumrecords.com/product/christmas-party/SIGCD821/

Siglo de Oro’s first commercial recording sees the choir and its director Patrick Allies in collaboration with saxophonist Sam Corkin. Their intriguing programme highlights the saxophone’s natural kinship with the human voice, as well as the endless expressive possibilities which this versatile instrument stimulates in the imaginations of modern composers. 

Its athletic vigour launches Will Todd’s O Wisdom, the first of eight settings of the Advent antiphons in English which, having been commissioned by the present artists, now form the backbone of this recording. Elsewhere the instrument soars above the voices’ urgent prophecy and imploration, while the choir is heard unaccompanied in glowing renditions of sixteenth-century polyphony – works by Pierre Certon, Antoine de Mornable, Michael Praetorius and Josquin des Prez, whose music complements the atmosphere of quiet expectancy proper to Advent.

https://www.delphianrecords.com/products/dcd34184?_pos=13&_sid=132e7e903&_ss=r

Ex cathedra Records

Hey for Christmas, The Oxford Waits with The Mellstock Band

1. Hey for Christmas

2. The Christmas Goose

3. Christmas in 1859

4. The Christmas Holiday, or Stuff Your Guts

5. Come Bring with a Noise

6. Christmas with Friends at Home

7.Drive the Cold Winter Away

8. Herald Angels

9. The Mistletoe Bough

10. The Holly and the Ivy

https://www.oxfordwaits.com/

1 Sussex Carol

2 Adam Lay Ybounden

3 Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, FP 152: II. Quem Vidistis Pastores Dicite

4 Long, Long Ago

5 Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, FP 152: III. Videntes Stellam

6 Noël Suisse Timothy Ravalde

7 Two Pieces, Op. 42: I. Twelfth Night

8 Magi Veniunt Ab Oriente

9 Today the Virgin Comes to the Cave

10 Omnes de Saba

11 What Sweeter Music

12 Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, FP 152: I. O Magnum Mysterium

13 Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

14 A Babe Is Born, Op. 55

15 Out of Your Sleep

16 In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 608
Timothy Ravalde

17 Two Anthems, Op. 43: II. Look Up, Sweet Babe

18 Gaude et Laetare

19 Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, FP 152: IV. Hodie Christus Natus Est

20 Te Deum and Benedictus, Op 34: Benedictus

December 1, 2016

This album is a reissue of Simphonies des noëls, the first recording with Les Violons du Roy on the ATMA Classique label. 

Plain-chant has figured prominently in the church's Christmas celebrations since the Middle Ages. Eventually polyphonic motets became popular and by the Baroque era, cantatas, concertos or variations on songs well known to the faithful were added to the liturgy. 

Simphonies des noëls features instrumental works celebrating the nativity by composers from France, Italy and Germany. Les Violons du Roy is at the heart of the music scene in Quebec City and is a regular feature on the Montreal cultural calendar. 

The orchestra is known throughout North America thanks to the many broadcasts of it's concerts and recordings on CBC, Radio-Canada and NPR. The ensemble regularly visits to New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Nowell, sing we! Is the second recording from Robert Quinney as director of New College Oxford Choir. This recording follows the trajectory of the last weeks of Michaelmas term at New College. The open format of a carol service allows for a wide variety in the choice of music, so long as none of the pieces is longer than a few minutes. The collection Nowell, sing we! Encompasses traditional carols and Counter Reformation composers through the twentieth century. New College Oxford Choirs previous release Symphony Anthems- John Blow under the directorship of Robert Quinney has been awarded Editors Choice in Gramophone and the release has enjoyed several weeks in the Specialist classical chart in the UK


Novum

This may be a rerelease of a previous album.

On Christmas Night (Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford)

Roderick Williams (Barritone); Daniel Hyde (Director);

The much lauded Magdalen College Choir present a glorious programme celebrating the remarkable variety of the twentieth-century English carol. Combining well-loved standards and innovative choir favourites, the breadth of musical expression runs a range of emotions from quiet contemplation to joyous revelling at the wondrous miracle of Christmas. Acclaimed baritone Roderick Williams soars in Williams’ celebrated Fantasia, crowning the selection of carols and organ solos led by renowned director and organist Daniel Hyde.

https://www.opusarte.com/details/OACD9022D

O NATA LUX, Vocal Ensemble Gentleman Singers.

This album features music primarily related to the seasons of Advent and Christmas. It includes a number of recent commissions for the male vocal ensemble, Gentlemen Singers, and was recorded in their hometown (Hradec Králové) in the Czech Republic. The programme also includes fresh arrangements produced for the recording. The carols are performed their original languages. Label: Convivium.

https://conviviumrecords.co.uk/product/o-nata-lux-contemplative-christmas-classics/#

“Few ‘standard carols’ but a disc to widen your choice of beautiful Christmas music including the magical ‘Christmas Sequence’, ‘Fantasy on Carols’ ‘Sussex Mummers’ Carol’, ‘Sleepers Awake’ ‘Sleighride’ ‘A Maid peerless’ ‘New Year Carol’ ‘Bethlehem Down’ ‘Christmas Day’ etc (18 tracks)

[1] Fantasy on Christmas Carols (The Holly and Ivy) 9:14
(Arnold arr. Christopher Palmer)
[2] Sleepers, Wake (‘Zion Hears the Watchmens’ Voices’) (J.S.Bach) 4:30
[3] The Sussex Mummers’ Christmas Carol 2:25
(Trad arr. Percy Grainger / Dana Pema)
[4] A Legend (from 16 Songs for Children, Op.54, No.5) 3:01
(Tchaikovsky) Solo: Thomas Colwell, treble
[5] A Spotless Rose (Howells) Solo: Martin Oxenham, baritone 3:40
[6] Sleighride (Delius ed. Beecham) 5:44
[7] The Noble Stem of Jesse (Praetorius) 1:56
[8] Es ist ein Ros Entsprungen 2:42
(A Beauteous Rose hath Blossomed) (Brahms arr. Palmer)
[9] A Christmas Sequence (M. Rosza arr. Christopher Palmer) 9:37
-Mary and Joseph (Words: Harry Robert Wilson)
-Star of Bethlehem
-Adoration of the Magi (Words: Harry Robert Wilson)
-Nativity (Words: Harry Robert Wilson)
[10] Bethlehem Down (Warlock) 5:06
[11] A Maid Peerless (Howells) Solo: Thomas Colwell, treble 5:31
[12] A New Year Carol (‘Friday Afternoons’) (Britten) 2:23
Trebles: David Nickless, Jonathan Seyghal, Connor Burrowes
[13] In Bethlehem City (Vaughan Williams) 2:17
[14] I Sing of a Maiden (Read arr. Hadley/Christopher Palmer) 3:06
[15] Christmas Day (Holst) 6:59

https://altocd.com/product/our-christmas-sequence/

Composer Jacob Narverud (b. 1986) composed a piece for this Season of Light recording. He responded with a two-stanza poem inspired by the title of the recording, and a brief a cappella work for mixed voices. His heartwarming and melodic style asks us to stop and reflect as we anticipate the beginning of holiday time in late November.

John Bucchino (b. 1952) conjures up the love and gratitude that we feel at Thanksgiving in his song “Grateful.” Originally written in 1995, for solo voice with piano, here for this recording it receives a new treatment for mixed voices and piano from Ryan Nowlin (b. 1978).

First, EVUSA sings the familiar and uplifting “Carol of the Bells” by Mykola Leontovych (1877-1921) in the a cappella arrangement and English translation by Peter J. Wilhousky (1902-1978).

David Chase’s (b. 1964) arrangement of the English carol, “God Rest Ye,” (aka “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen”), commissioned by EVUSA for this recording and scored for mixed chorus and piano, has a recurring rhythmic figure in the accompaniment that infects us with the joy of the season. We continue on to remember the true sense of the season’s holiness as we present a serene polyphonic setting of Jean Mouton’s (1459-1522) “Ave Maria,” from the French Renaissance.

Another invocation of light occurs as the Jewish community kindles candles to celebrate the Festival of Chanukah. This holiday commemorates the ancient victory over an enemy that tried to deprive Jews of religious freedom. Stephen Schwartz (b. 1948) and lyricist Steven Young (b. 1965) transport us into another world in their uplifting piece, “The Chanukah Song” (“We Are Lights”).

English composer Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) expresses a serene hope in his piece “A New Year Carol,” scored for unison chorus and piano. The piece, originally written for children, is from Friday Afternoons, a collection of twelve songs by Britten, composed from 1933–35. He wrote it for the pupils of Clive House School, Prestatyn (Wales), where Britten’s brother, Robert, was headmaster. The text is anonymous.

We end with Tedd Firth’s (b. 1976) new year “carol” in a new jazz arrangement of “Auld Lang Syne.” The song, with text by Robert Burns, is traditionally used to bid farewell to the old year and sung at the stroke of midnight.

Judith Clurman’s Essential Voices USA (EVUSA) is one of New York’s preeminent choral ensembles; it performs in many of the city’s iconic venues and events and records and premieres works by America’s finest composers and lyricists. Regularly on stage with the New York Pops in its Carnegie Hall subscription series, televised on NBC’s July 4th Macy’s 2014 Spectacular Fireworks and the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting in 2011 and 2012, the ensemble comprises a talented roster of seasoned professionals and auditioned volunteers, dynamically fitted to the unique needs of each project. Among other national highlights, EVUSA participated in the 2013 Presidential Inaugural activities and held a month-long residency at National Public Radio.

https://www.sonoluminus.com/store/season-of-light

Songs of the Nativity, The Sixteen

On this release, The Sixteen contrasts the dramatic intensity of music by some of today's most admired composers with such traditional and modern carols as Boris Ord's Adam Lay Ybounden and Henry Walford Davis' version of O Little Town of Bethlehem. Much-loved classics appear on this album along with many others that, with time, will become classics. 

Every work on this album captures the joy and sincerity of the most wonderful of seasons. The album provides a perfect peaceful and uplifting antidote to the hectic pre-Christmas rush.

1 O Magnum Mysterium 2 Adam Lay Ybounden 3 The Saviour's Work 4 The Christ-Child 5 Bethlehem Down 6 A Gallery Carol 7 My Lord Has Come 8 The Holy Boy 9 O Little Town of Bethlehem 10 When Christ Was Born of Mary Free 11 Now May We Singen 12 Children's Song of the Nativity 13 Adam Lay Ybounden 14 Song of the Shepherds 15 Somerset Carol 16 The Shepherd's Carol 17 This Endris Night 18 There Is a Flower 19 Christmas Eve 20 And All the Stars Looked Down 21 Dutch Carol 22 O Radiant Dawn

Label: Coro

 

Surrounded by Angels: A Christmas Celebration with Ensemble Galilei

Ensemble Galilei showcases their astounding playing as well as arranging talents on this release, Surrounded by Angels. Each member of Ensemble Galilei is renowned in thier own field - two winners of the All-Ireland Senior Championship, two winners of teh U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship, a four-time winner of the U.S. National Scottish Harp Championship, a Fulbright Scholar - they bring uncontested talents to this release. This release is so rich, soulful and deep that it transcends the genres of Irish or Scottish or Early Music.

1 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Konvulsionslåten - the Celt
2 Divinum Mysterium - Tàladh Ar Slànaigheir
3 Away in the Manger (Flow Gently, Sweet Afton) - Polonessa Spoof
4 Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
5 I Wonder As I Wander
6 Greensleeves
7 Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agréable - Jesu Kreuz, Leiden Und Pein
8 The Surround - Snowy Path - Half C
9 Une Vierge Pucelle - Joseph Est Bien Marié
10 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Good King Wenceslas
11 At Midnight Hour - Joy Be with You
12 Carol of the Birds
13 Winter's Falling Light
14 The Wexford Carol - Shetland Reel
15 Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning - Farewell to Goirtin
16 Silent Night

Label: Sono Luminus         

https://www.sonoluminus.com/store/surrounded-by-angels-cd

There is No Rose, Vocal Groups Concert Clemens


This new release of Christmas tunes comes from the Danish choir vocal group Concert Clemens. Featuring a selection of festive favorites and lesser-known works, many of which have been newly arranged and recorded for the first time, this release will put you in the Holiday spirit. Entitled There is no Rose, the recording follows the theme of the rose as a symbol of love. Concert Clemens is an ambitious classical vocal group resident in Aarhus, Denmark. Formed in 1997 by conductor Carsten Seyer-Hansen, the ensemble aims to present classical vocal music with precision and warmth, and performs at music festivals, competitions and in concerts around the world.

Upon a Winter's Night, Cara Dillon

Multi award winning and internationally acclaimed Irish folk singer Cara Dillon, captures the mystery of Christmas with a collection of songs ancient and modern providing a welcome antidote to 21st century Yuletide excess. Here, the story of Christmas is retold and explored through an array of musical guises brimming with gravitas, reverence, mythology and atmosphere. Along the way the mood shifts from joyous wonder to reflection, faith and celebration. Traditional favourites "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and "O Holy Night" are as stunning as anything in Cara's back catalogue, the latter being an arresting a-cappella version sung with her sister Mary Dillon. Other highlights include the atmospheric "Wexford Carol" with newly added cinematic instrumental sections. Sitting perfectly alongside these classics are three originals written by Cara and long time musical partner, Sam Lakeman, including the dynamic title track "Upon A Winter's Night". "Standing By My Christmas Tree", a secular reflection touching on the loneliness and nostalgia felt at Christmas. The final original, "Mother Mary", envisages the Virgin Mary soothing her newborn in a delicate and pensive lullaby "Go to sleep my darling child, for at your feet will fall, the hopes and prayers of all... I am your Mother Mary".
Charcoal Records

Naxos Releases Rimsky-Korsakov's "Christmas Eve" Opera

 

Naxos Releases Rimsky-Korsakov's "Christmas Eve" Opera

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.

https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.660543-44

Vokalgruppen Concert Clemens releases Hugo Distler's Weihnachtseschichte

 

Vokalgruppen Concert Clemens releases Hugo Distler's Weihnachtseschichte

Description off of NAXOS:

Hugo Distler’s exquisite Christmas narrative draws inspiration from German Protestant sacred music of the early Baroque era, particularly the music of Heinrich Schütz. 

Following Schütz’s example, Distler composed his Christmas story exclusively for vocalists – soloists and a 4-8-voiced ensemble. In Distler’s own words, it is described as an ‘Oratorium mit kammermusik-alishem Charakter’ (an oratorio with a chamber music-like character). 

The composition also incorporates sections of the beautiful choral piece "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen," which makes seven appearances throughout the narrative, each time presented in a new harmonic colour. 

Distler’s exquisite Christmas narrative draws inspiration from German Protestant sacred music of the early Baroque era, particularly the music of Heinrich Schütz. 

https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=6.220684

https://www.concertclemens.dk/english/

Naxos releases Elizabeth Poston "Carols and Anthems" Album by the St. Albans Cathedral Girls Choir and Lay Clerks

 

Naxos releases Elizabeth Poston "Carols and Anthems" Album by the St. Albans Cathedral Girls Choir and Lay Clerks

Elizabeth Poston’s long and distinguished career included significant work for the BBC during the Second World War, where she performed as a respected pianist and later composed scores for numerous radio and television productions. 

Describing herself as ‘a littlemonger’ who never wanted to write big pieces, Poston’s supreme talent for composing vocal and choral miniatures is fully represented in this recording, the first to be dedicated entirely to her work. 

Poston’s music reveals timeless melodic charm, a great sensitivity of word setting and her profound appreciation of ancient folk-song traditions.

https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.574576

Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge Releases Advent Live 3

 

Advent Live Volume 3, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge is out

Releases Nov. 24, 2023

The third album in our series of live recordings from our Advent Carol Services, including commissions by Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Helen Grime.

Release Nov. 24, 2023

Signum Classics

1. Lo! The desert-depths are stirr’d

2. Advent Calendar

3. Telling

4. There is no rose

5. Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes-Sohn, BWV 601

6. Pan fo’r stormydd garwa’n curo

7. Hymn – O come, O come, Emmanuel!

8. Nowel, nowel. Owt of your slepe

9. Drop down, ye heavens, from above

10. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

11. There is no rose

12. Hymn – Come, thou long-expected Jesus

13. O virgo virginum

14. One star, at last

15. Antiphons – O Dayspring; O King of the Nations

16. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme

17. Adam lay ybounden

18. Gottes Sohn ist kommen

19. Hymn – On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry

20. Antiphon – O Emmanuel

21. Adam lay ybounden

22. A Gallery Carol 

https://signumrecords.com/product/advent-live-volume-3/SIGCD768/

Disclaimer: Regarding the photos and descriptions used above, we do not know whom the owners of these are, and infringement is not intended. Photos and descriptions are used for educational purposes only. We will gladly oblige any take down under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Photos and descriptions are used under the allowance made for "fair use" under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 for the purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. We will oblige any takedown request of any photo on this blog in compliance with the DMCA.

Choir of King's College Cambridge Releases Rutter Orchestral Carol Album

 

Choir of King's College Cambridge Releases Rutter Orchestral Carol Album

Britten Sinfonioa

Label 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

Disclaimer: Regarding the photos and descriptions used above, we do not know whom the owners of these are, and infringement is not intended. Photos and descriptions are used for educational purposes only. We will gladly oblige any take down under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Photos and descriptions are used under the allowance made for "fair use" under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 for the purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. We will oblige any takedown request of any photo on this blog in compliance with the DMCA.

Christmas Touched Upon in New Collection of Jonathan Rutherford's Works by the London Voices

 

Christmas Touched Upon in New Collection of Jonathan Rutherford's Works by the London Voices
Ben Parry Leads the London Voices on New Orchid Classics Album


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


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

https://www.orchidclassics.com/releases/orc100268-rutherford-the-wilderness/

Choir of Salisbury Cathedral releases "Salisbury Christmas"

 

Choir of Salisbury Cathedral releases "Salisbury Christmas"

Updated with description on Nov. 25, 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. Susset Carol - Trad arr. Willcocks

Disclaimer: Regarding the photos and descriptions used above, we do not know whom the owners of these are, and infringement is not intended. Photos and descriptions are used for educational purposes only. We will gladly oblige any take down under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Photos and descriptions are used under the allowance made for "fair use" under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 for the purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. We will oblige any takedown request of any photo on this blog in compliance with the DMCA.