By R. Rojas
Updated and put in chronological order, Christmas day, 2025.
The descriptions below are those of record labels or the ensembles and are not reviews by the Christmas Carols Blog. Some have been altered for better web viewing. Don't fret, we left the King's English intact. Links to the ensemble or record label have been included to make purchasing easier. We will be adding some link where they have been left off, as well as adding tracks, as we get the information. If we missed your new recording, email us at: christmascarolblog@gmail.com.
1980
Happy Organ – 20 All Time Christmas Favorites in 4K (1980)
Label: GNP Crescendo – GNPS-2138 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo Country: US Released: 1980
Tracklist 0:00 White Christmas 3:31 Winter Wonderland 5:51 Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 7:16 Frosty The Snowman 9:30 The First Noel 11:57 Here Comes Santa Claus 13:25 O' Little Town Of Bethlehem 15:31 I'll Be Home For Christmas 18:54 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear 21:18 A Marshmallow World 24:00 There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays 26:42 Silver Bells 29:32 The Chipmunk Song 31:09 Jingle Bells 32:58 Holiday Polka 34:26 Christmas Waltz 36:36 Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer 38:50 Christmas Island 41:41 Let It Snow 43:50 Silent Night
Listen to the album on the Christmas Vinyl Channel on Youtube.
Listen to the album on the Christmas Vinyl Channel on Youtube.
Decca
1981
Christmas music from Williamsburg produced by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Dolby-encoded audio cassette tape of recordings made in 1981.
Composer arr. Edmund Walters
Traditional
Composer arr. Edgar Pettman
Old Basque Noel
Composer
Edmund Walters
Composer
William Byrd
Composer arr. Edmund Walters
Spanish Anon
Composer harmonized J.S. Bach
Old German Melody
Composer
Harold Darke
Composer arr. Edmund Walters
German Traditional
Chandos
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%206672
1 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (Adapted By w. H. Cummings from Mendelssohn's Festgesang for the Gutenberg Festival) 2 A Virgin Most Pure (English) 3 Work(S): Jingle Bells / Star of Bethlehem 4 Work(S): Carol Medley: Angels from the Realms of Glory / Away in a Manger / O Little Town of Bethlehem / the 5 Work(S): Carol Medley: As with Gladness Men of Old / Glory to God in the Highest / See Amid the Winter Snow 6 O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) 7 Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night) 8 Down in Yon Forest, Carol (English) 9 Good King Wenceslas (Piae Cantiones, 1582) 10 Work(S): Carol Medley: Little Jesus Sweetly Sleep (Rocking Carol) / Little Drummer Boy / Deck the Hall (Nos 11 Work(S): While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night / Auld Lang Syne (Followed By Change Ringing from the |
1982
1 Exultation
2 The Angel and the Shepherds Go, Tell It on the Mountain
3 Iglulik Eskimo Poem
4 The Huron Indian Carol
5 The Babe of Bethlehem
6 Star Silver
7 The Cherry Tree Carol
8 New Hosanna
9 Glory to the Mountain
10 Children, Go
11 The Kentucky Wassail Carol
12 The Christmas Tree
13 Chicken Foot
14 Mountain Christmas Carolling
15 Wondrous Love
16 I Wil Bow and Be Simple
17 Shall I Tell You?
18 Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head
19 The Young Convert
20 Boston Brigade March
21 Shall We Gather at the River?
2 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Wolcum Yole!
3 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: There Is No Rose
4 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: That Yonge Child - Frances Kelly/Harry Bickett/Andrew Olleson
5 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Balulalow - Frances Kelly/Harry Bickett/Edward Harris
6 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: As Dew In Aprille
7 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: This Little Babe
8 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Interlude - Frances Kelly
9 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: In Freezing Winter Night
10 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Spring Carol
11 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Adam Lay I-Bounden
12 A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Recession
13 Te Deum in C - Frances Kelly/Harry Bickett/Edward Harris
14 Hymn To St. Peter - Frances Kelly/Harry Bickett/Andrew Olleson
15 Hymn To The Virgin - Frances Kelly/Harry Bickett/Edward Harris/Jonathan Cooke/Teehan Page/Nigel Howells
16 Hymn To St. Cecilia - Frances Kelly/Harry Bickett/Edward Harris/Mark Slater/Niall Weir/Nigel Howells
ASV
1983
Released on LP in 1983, this was the first recording to feature Trinity’s newly mixed-voice SATB choir following the admission of women to the College in 1982. Many of the works in the programme would become established favourites at the Choir’s annual Advent and Epiphany Carol Services in subsequent years.
This recording is not currently available in physical or download format, or on streaming services.
Side 1
Hymn to the Virgin – Britten
There is no rose – Anon.
A spotless rose – Howells
Edi beo thu – Anon.
Ave maris stella – Liszt
Angelus ad virginem – Anon.
Hodie Christus natus est – Sweelinck
A child is born – Scheidt
Side 2
Hodie Christus natus est – Gabrieli
O little one sweet – Bach
Rejoice, rejoice – Byrd
O ye little flock – Amner
The three kings – Cornelius
Lully, lulla – Leighton
Quem vidistis, pastores? – Dering
| 1 Good Christian Men Rejoice 2 Silent Night 3 Patapan 4 O Come, All Ye Faithful 5 O Sanctissima 6 Joy to the World 7 Away in the Manger 8 Fum Fum Fum: March of the Kings 9 What Child is This 10 Hark the Herald Angels Sing 11 Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella 12 Angels We Have Heard on High 13 Break Forth, O Beateous, Heavenly Light 14 The First Nowell 15 O Little Town of Bethlehem 16 I Saw Three Ships 17 Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly Telarc  |
ASV
1. Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day - John Gardiner
2. Remember, O Thou Man n- Arthur Oldham
3. I sing of a Maiden - Patrick Hadley
4. Sing Lullaby - Herbert Howells
5. Here is the Little Door - H. Howells
6. Sir Christemas - Willaim Mathias
7. In Dulci Jubilo - Pearhall
8. Jesu, as thou art our saviour - B. Britten
9. O little one sweet - arr. J.S. Bach
10.The Crown of Roses - Tchaikovsky
11. A Spotless Rose - H. Howells
12. Alleluya, a new work is come on hand - Peter Wishart
1984
1 Trad. Up! Awake! from Highest Steeple (Wachet Auf!) (Arr.
| Jacob Praetorius) 2 Arthur Oldham Remember O Thou Man 3 Trad. There Stood in Heaven a Linden Tree (Arr. G.H. Palmer) 4 Peter Wishart Alleluya, a New Work Is Come on Hand 5 Charpentier Salve Puerile (Arr. John Rutter) 6 Trad. the Holly and the Ivy (Arr. H. Walford Davies) 7 Poston Jesus Christ the Apple Tree 8 Praetorius Resonet in Laudibus (Arr. Herbert Birtner) 9 Trad. Ding Dong! Merrily on High (Arr. Charles Wood) 10 Maxwell Davies Nowell (Out of Your Sleep Arise) 11 Hammerschmidt Alleluja! Freuet Euch, Ihr Christen Alle 12 Trad. Up! Good Christen Folk, and Listen (Arr. G.R. Woodward) 13 Trad. in Dulci Jubilo (Arr. R.L. Pearsall) 14 Mendelssohn Hark! the Herald Angels Sing 15 Scheidt Puer Natus in Bethlehem 16 Trad. Rocking (Arr. Sir David Willcocks) 17 John Gardner Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day 18 Trad. Illuminare Jerusalem 19 Britten a Shepherd's Carol 20 Trad. Good King Wenceslas |
Eloquence
Deutsche Grammophon
1985
Performed by the choir of new college, oxford and the collegium novum ensemble. Edward Higginbottom, director. Howard Moody on the organ.
Musical Heritage Society
The University of Oxford's world-famous choir performs a selection of famous and lesser-known carols.
1 O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
2 Adam Lay Ybounden, Carol (English)
3 Owt of Your Slepe Aryse (15th C. English), Carol
4 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (Birjina Gaztettobat Zegoen, Basque Carol)
5 A Spotless Rose, for Chorus
6 Ding Dong! Merrily on High (French)
7 In the Bleak Midwinter
8 The Holly and the Ivy (English)
9 I Wonder As I Wander (American)
10 A Babe Is Born, for Chorus & Organ, Op. 55
11 Sussex Carol ('On Christmas Night')
12 This Is the Truth Sent from Above (English)
13 A Virgin Most Pure (English)
14 Here Is the Little Door, Carol-Anthem for Chorus
15 Alleluia: A New Work Is Come on Hand
16 Coventry Carol (2): 'Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child'
17 In Dulci Jubilo (Pi' Cantiones)
18 There Is No Rose of Such Virtue (English)
19 Rocking Carol (Czech)
20 Wassail Song ('Here We Come A-Wassailing'), Carol (A.K.A. 'Here We Come A-Caroling')
21 Once in Royal David's City, Carol
1 O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
2 Adam Lay Ybounden, Carol (English)
3 Owt of Your Slepe Aryse (15th C. English), Carol
4 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (Birjina Gaztettobat Zegoen, Basque Carol)
5 A Spotless Rose, for Chorus
6 Ding Dong! Merrily on High (French)
7 In the Bleak Midwinter
8 The Holly and the Ivy (English)
9 I Wonder As I Wander (American)
10 A Babe Is Born, for Chorus & Organ, Op. 55
11 Sussex Carol ('On Christmas Night')
12 This Is the Truth Sent from Above (English)
13 A Virgin Most Pure (English)
14 Here Is the Little Door, Carol-Anthem for Chorus
15 Alleluia: A New Work Is Come on Hand
16 Coventry Carol (2): 'Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child'
17 In Dulci Jubilo (Pi' Cantiones)
18 There Is No Rose of Such Virtue (English)
19 Rocking Carol (Czech)
20 Wassail Song ('Here We Come A-Wassailing'), Carol (A.K.A. 'Here We Come A-Caroling')
21 Once in Royal David's City, Carol
CRD Records Ltd.
1986
| 1 Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly 2 Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming 3 Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella 4 The First Noel 5 Angels We Have Heard on High 6 We Three Kings of Orient Are 7 O Come, All Ye Faithful 8 O Sanctissima 9 O Tannenbaum 10 O Come, O Come, Emanuel 11 Good King Wenceslas 12 Silent Night, Holy Night 13 Joy To The World 14 The Twelve Days of Christmas 15 Coventry Carol 16 God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 17 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 18 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 19 Good Christian Men, Rejoice 20 O Holy Night 21 What Child Is This? 22 Wassail Song 23 O Little Town of Bethlehem 24 Away In A Manger 25 We Wish You a Merry Christmas |
| 1 | 1986-7 1 O Come, O Come Emanuel 2 Once In Royal David's City 3 Unto Us A Child Is Born 4 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 5 Good Christian Men Rejoice 6 O Holy Night 7 The Holly And The Ivy 8 See Amid The Winter Snow 9 I Saw Three Ships 10 This Christmastide 11 Coventry Carol 12 In The Bleak Mid-Winter 13 Silent Night 14 Angels We Have Heard On High 15 We Three Kings Of Orient Are 16 Joy To The World 17 Adeste Fideles 18 Amen |
| Phillips |
1 I. Rejoice, Rejoice: Nowell: Dieus Vous Garde 2 I. Rejoice, Rejoice: Gaudete, Gaudete 3 II. Behold The Handmaiden: Reading Luke I, 18-22 4 II. Behold The Handmaiden: Kyrie Eleison 5 II. Behold The Handmaiden: E La Don Don 6 II. Behold The Handmaiden: Two Fant On 'Une Heune Fillete' 7 III. Joseph Is Well Married: Une Jeune Fillete 8 III. Joseph Is Well Married: Joseph, Lieber Joseph Mein 9 III. Joseph Is Well Married: Magnificant Quinti Toni 10 IV. The Birth Of Jesus: Esprits Divins 11 IV. The Birth Of Jesus: Reading: Luke II, 17-19 12 IV. The Birth Of Jesus: Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen 13 IV. The Birth Of Jesus: Riu, Riu, Chiu 14 V. Herod And The Magi: Wie Schon Leuchet Der Morgenstern 15 V. Herod And The Magi: Reading: Luke III, 4-12 - The Boston Camerata/Joel Cohen T 16 V. Herod And The Magi: O Vos Omnes 17 VI. The Shepards At The Cradle: Reading: Luke II, 20-21 18 VI. The Shepards At The Cradle: Ungaresca 19 VI. The Shepards At The Cradle: Nouvelles, Novelles - The Boston Camerata/Joel Cohen T |
 2 Shepherd's Pipe Carol 3 Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: II. Air 4 Fantasia On "I Saw Three Ships" 5 Greensleeves 6 Zither Carol 7 The Holy Boy 8 Patapan 9 Past Three O'clock 10 Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: No. 10, Sinfonia 11 Ave Maria - John Birch 12 Chorale from the Christmas Oratorio 13 I Wonder As I Wander 14 Sheep May Safely Graze 15 Jesus Christ the Apple Tree 16 We Wish You a Merry Christmas 
1987  An incredible collection of 22 carols, old and new, including "I Wonder As I Wander," "Away In A Manger," "O Tannenbaum," and "In Dulci Jubilo." "In the field of choral Christmas CDs, Christmas Night shines brightest of all." David Vernier – Classics Today "The theme of this album is the birth of Christ, reflected in the words and music of 22 carols spanning more than six centuries." This description might also say that the program contains some of the best and best-loved Christmas choral pieces of all time, presented in a pleasing mix of familiar carols and lesser-known original works. Among the best-known selections are Darke's "In the bleak mid-winter" and Howells's "A spotless rose." Several original pieces by John Rutter appear here for the first time --"Christmas Night," "There is a flower," and "Nativity Carol." Other notable highlights are Peter Cornelius's "The three kings" and the lively Willcocks arrangement of "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day." Of course, the singing is among the best on the planet--in fact, there may even be a few heavenly angels in the soprano section. -- David Vernier 1 In Dulci Jubilo 2 Adam Lay Ybounden 3 Christmas Night 4 Once, as I Remember 5 A Spotless Rose 6 In the Bleak Midwinter 7 There Is a Flower 8 The Cherry Tree Carol 9 I Wonder as I Wander 10 Candlelight Carol 11 O Tannenbaum 12 Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day 13 A Virgin Most Pure 14 I Sing of a Maiden 15 Lute-Book Lullaby 16 The Three Kings 17 Myn Lyking 18 O Little One Sweet 19 All My Heart This Night Rejoices 20 I Saw a Maiden 21 Away in a Manger 22 Nativity Carol Collegium Records   Editor's note: In my collection I have this CD but with a different cover. I do not know if this cover above was the LP cover. Music by Holst and Walton provides [a] must for Yuletide music in the air (San Francisco Chronicle).
Recording in Merton College Chapel, Oxforth 11th and 12th of May 1987. Nimbus Records  Editor's note: I have information of a compact disc version of this released in 2007, mentioning that it's original release was in 1999. Fielder died in 1979, so release date may be inaccurate.
|
Editor's note: I have information of a compact disc version of this released in 2007, mentioning that it's original release was in 1999. Fielder died in 1979, so release date may be inaccurate. 1 Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town 2 Sleigh Ride 3 Parade of the Wooden Soldiers 4 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Boston Pops Orchestra 5 Winter Wonderland - Boston Pops Orchestra 6 Sleigh Ride, No. 3 7 March of the Toys 8 Silent Night 9 The Little Drummer Boy 10 Here We Come A-Caroling/O Christmas Tree/I Saw Three Ships Legacy Recordings |
1988
A four-part program of medieval music moves through nativity
songs toward the point at which Christian and Pagan traditions
come together.
1 I. Sing Today Of Joy: Personent Hodie
2 II. Winter And Wassail: Judas And Wenceslas
3 II. Winter And Wassail: Hyer Matin
4 II. Winter And Wassail: Miri It Is
5 II. Winter And Wassail: Man Mei Longe
6 II. Winter And Wassail: Thys Yool
7 II. Winter And Wassail: Tapster, Drynker
8 II. Winter And Wassail: Ja Pour Hyver
9 III. A Child Is Born: Gabriel From Heven-King
10 III. A Child Is Born: Chester Nuns' Song
11 III. A Child Is Born: Hail Mary Full Of Grace
12 III. A Child Is Born: As I Lay On Yoolis Night
13 III. A Child Is Born: Edi Be Thu
14 III. A Child Is Born: Perperit Virgo
15 IV. Mary Mother, Queen Of Heaven: O Virgo Splendens
16 IV. Mary Mother, Queen Of Heaven:Loor De Santa Maria
17 IV. Mary Mother, Queen Of Heaven: Polorum Regina
18 IV. Mary Mother, Queen Of Heaven: Mariam Matrem
19 V. Mary's Son, Goodwill On Earth: I Pray You All
20 V. Mary's Son, Goodwill On Earth: There Is No Rose
21 V. Mary's Son, Goodwill On Earth: Caligo Terrae Scinditur
22 V. Mary's Son, Goodwill On Earth: Princeps Pacis
23 VI. Rebirth: Mors Vitae
Carols from Trinity
Recorded 29-30 June 1988. Released October 1990.
The Choir’s first Christmas album for Conifer Classics (and its second Christmas album following the 1983 LP issue of > Music for Advent, the Nativity & Epiphany), presenting seasonal carols and hymns and rare solo organ contributions from Richard Marlow. Widely successful on release, this recording was also issued under the short-lived Classical Collection range for Boots pharmacies.
Following the 1993 release of the Choir’s second Christmas album, > A Child is Born, Conifer Classics swiftly re-released both albums in 1995 as a 2-CD compilation, confusingly also titled ‘Carols from Trinity’, with the original 1990 album as Disc 1 and A Child is Born as Disc 2.
1989
Most people think of Christmas carols as originating from ancient--or at least olden-times, and indeed, many of the most enduring ones have survived for many centuries. Andrew Parrott and his Taverner Consort take us back seven centuries, in fact, and thoughtfully mix the old tunes ("Swete was the song," "This endere nyghth," "Nova! nova!") with more recent tunes. Parrott's musicians offer interesting takes on such familiar carols as "Silent Night" and "God rest ye merry, gentlemen." "Silent Night" sounds like an Austrian folk tune, complete with guitar accompaniment that reportedly was used in its original performance; "God rest ye..." is performed in the style of an English country church congregation--and uses a different tune from the one we usually hear. Various period instruments add to the color and flavor, and the arrangements are original and very effective. --David Vernier
1 Veni, Veni Emmanuel
2 Stille Nacht
3 Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant
4 Nova! Nova!
5 Marche Des Rois
6 The Babe Of Bethlehem
7 Verbum Caro: Y La Virgen
8 Glory To God On High
9 This Endere Nyghth
10 O Jesulein Suss
11 Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant
12 God Rest You Merry, Gentleman
13 Swete Was The Song The Virgine Soong
14 Quem Pastores Laudavere
15 Quanno Nascete Ninno
16 Riu, Riu, Chiu
17 Gabriel Fram Heven-King
18 Christum Wir Sollen Loben Schon
19 The Coventry Carol
20 Gaudete!
21 Verbum Caro: In Hac Anni Circulo
22 Alleluya: A Nywe Werk Is Come On Honde
23 The Old Year Now Away Is Fled
24 Branle De L'Officiel (Ding! Dong! Merrily On High)
|
CRD Records LTD.
Still Need to Date
Editor's Note: This is probably a new cover. There was a release in 1988 using another cover.
Christmas in Leipzig was always a busy time for Johann Sebastian Bach. Each year between December 25 and January 6, a period of just 13 days, no less than six cantatas were required, as well as other concerted music. Bach's first Christmas in Leipzig as the kantor of the Thomaskirche, 1723-24, was preceded by an extraordinary period of creativity. At this time he composed or revised for the 13-day period from Christmas Day to Epiphany the first version of the Magnificat (BWV 243a) and six cantatas.
—Robin A. Leaver
Cantata BWV 63: Christen ätzet diesen Tag
**-**1. Chorus: Christen ätzet diesen Tag
2. Alto Recitative: O selger Tag!
3. Aria (Duet): Soprano, Bass: Gott, du hast es wohl gefüge
4. Tenor Recitative: So kehret sich nun heut
5. Aria (Duet): Alto, Tenor: Ruft und fleht das Himmel, an
6. Bass Recitative: Verdoppelt euch demnach, ihr heissen Andachtsflammen
7. Chorus: Höchster, schau in Gnaden an
Cantata BWV 65: Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen
8. Chorus: Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen
9. Chorale: Die Kön'ge aus Saba kamen dar
10. Bass Recitative: Was dort Jesaias vorhergesehn
11. Bass Aria: Gold aus Ophir ist zu schlecht
12. Tenor Recitative: Verschmähe nicht
13. Tenor Aria: Nimm mich dir zu eigen hin
14. Chorale: Ei nun, mein Gott, so fall ich dir
From the Mass in B Minor BWV 232
15. Chorus: Sanctus
https://www.sonoluminus.com/dorian/christmas-in-leipzig
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