A CHRISTMAS CAROLL

from Westminster Abbey

 

OLD GERMAN CAROL arranged by ROBERT LUCAS PEARSALL

1 In dulci jubilo [3'37]

FRANCIS POULENC (1899–1963) Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël [11'07]

2 O magnum mysterium [3'11]

3 Quem vidistis pastores dicite [2'30]

4 Videntes stellam [2'53]

5 Hodie Christus natus est [2'32]

KENNETH LEIGHTON (1929–1988)

6 A Christmas Caroll [6'26]

WILLIAM WALTON (1902–1983)

7 All this time [1'56]

JAMES LAVINO (b1973)

8 Nativity [3'39] JOHN RUTTER (b1945)

9 Dormi, Jesu [4'56]

BOB CHILCOTT (b1955)

10 The Shepherd’s Carol [3'09]

JONATHAN DOVE (b1959)

11 The Three Kings [5'26]

TRADITIONAL arranged by STEPHEN CLEOBURY

12 Joys Seven [3'16]

FRANZ GRÜBER (1787–1863) arranged by CHRISTOPHER BOWERS-BROADBENT

13 Silent night [3'00]

TRADITIONAL arranged by JAMES O’DONNELL

14 I saw three ships [1'39]

MICHAEL HEAD (1900–1976)

15 The little road to Bethlehem [3'05]

WILLIAM MATHIAS (1934–1992) Ave Rex [12'12]

16 Ave Rex angelorum [2'50]

17 Alleluya, a new work is come on hand [1'47]

18 There is no rose of such virtue [4'05]

19 Sir Christèmas [1'42]

20 Ave Rex angelorum [1'45]

 

Robert Quinney - organ

The Choir of Westminster Abbey / James O’Donnell

 

The first of this month’s ‘double bill’ from Westminster presents a delightful and unusual selection of music for Christmas from the Abbey Choir. It encompasses all the diverse themes of Christmas which have inspired composers across the ages: light shining in darkness; the tenderness of mother and child; the fulfilment of promise; and the warm merriment of corporate celebration.

 

An excellent selection of contemporary carols features the composers Jonathan Dove and Bob Chilcott among others. The richness of twentieth-century church music is illustrated in works by Poulenc, Walton, Mathias and Leighton, and by the heartbreakingly lovely piece The little road to Bethlehem by Michael Head. Skilful arrangements of the traditional carols Silent night, In dulci jubilo and I saw three ships, complete this attractive seasonal release.

 

Hyperion CDA67716