A CHORAL CHRISTMAS

 

The Trinity Choir

 

1.         Sing we to this merry company -  John Rutter (b.1945)

2.         Still, still, still -  Arr. Norman Luboff (1917-1987)

3.         Ding! dong! merrily on high -  Arr. Gerald Near (b.1942)

4.         In dulci jubilo -  Arr. Robert L. Pearsall (1795-1856)

5.         What sweeter music -  J. Rutter

6.         Tomorrow shall be my dancing day -  John Gardner (b.1917)

7.         The holly and the ivy -  Arr. M. Shaw (1875-1958)/C. Robinson (b.1936)

8.         Jesus Christ the apple tree -  Elzabeth Poston (1905-1987)

9.         Go tell it on the mountain -  Arr. Alan Murchie (b.1963)

10.        Mid-winter - Bob Chilcott (b.1955)

11.        I saw three ships -  Arr. J. Rutter

12.        Coventry Carol -  Arr. Norman Gilbert

13.        Before the marvel of this night -  Carl Schalk (b.1929)

14.        Once, as I remember -  Arr. Charles Wood (1866-1926)

15.        A stable in Bethlehem -  Peter Taylor

16.        Noël nouvelet -  Arr. Stephen Jackson

17.        O magnum mysterium -  Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

18.        On this day earth shall ring -  Arr. Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

19.        The little road to Bethlehem -  Michael Head (1900-1976)

20.        O little town of Bethlehem -  Arr. Brian Jones (b.1943)

21.        God is with us -  John Tavener (b.1944)

 

A carol is defined simply as 'a song of praise or joy,' and as with much popular and classical music, has its origin in dance.   In medieval times a carol was a round dance with music, around a text dealing with the life of Christ.   While not all of the selections on the present recording can be lumped under one heading of 'carols'; there are also hymns, lullabies, and motets - certainly the desire to 'increase the element of joy' has been an overriding principle in choosing these twenty one pieces.

 

Dorian DOR93240