Launched at our concert in December 2010. A musical journey through the season of Advent. A collection of carols, motets and spirituals which relate the Christmas story, from the journeys of the wise men and the shepherds to the celebration in the stable at Bethlehem.
The Classical Recording Company CRC2016 Sold in aid of the Cure Parkinson's Trust (£2 will be donated from the sale of each CD) Producer: Simon Weir Engineer: Morgan Roberts
Track List
Thalben-Ball - The Renunciation Anon - Rejoice in the Lord always Manz - E'en so Lord Jesus Wood - O Thou, the central orb Anon - Remember, O thou man Trad - Adam and his helpmate Bruckner - Virga Jesse Bairstow - Let all mortal flesh keep silence Palestrina - Alma Redemptoris Mater Hadley - I sing of a maiden Arr. Willcocks - Blessed be that maid Mary Thomas - The Lord at first had Adam made Weir - My Guardian Angel Gabrieli - O magnum mysterium Arr. Willcocks - Infant holy, infant lowly Lloyd - I saw three ships Walton - King Herod and the Cock Arr. Willcocks -Quelle est cette odeur agreable? Brown - Balulalow Hogan - Glory, glory, glory to the Newborn King
Robert Parsons - Ave Maria Hans Leo Hassler - Dixit Maria Tomás Luis de Victoria - Salve Regina à 8 Igor Stravinsky - Ave Maria Sergei Rachmaninov - Bogoroditsye Dyevo Francis Poulenc - Litanies à la Vierge Noire; Salve Regina Andrzej Panufnik - Song to the Virgin Mary Anton Bruckner - Ave Maria Benjamin Britten - A Hymn to the Virgin Herbert Howells - Magnificat (Collegium Regale)
Organists' Review wrote:
“Well, here is another cracker of a recording. Under the present director, Mark Forkgen, we hear on this recording
singing of exquisite control and refinement, especially in the a-cappella pieces. A high spot has to be the Litanies
of Poulenc where the choir’s expressive and at times impassioned singing is complemented by the organ accompanying of
Peter Barley. The Panufnik Song to the Virgin Mary is a substantial piece which was commissioned for the Lake District
Festival in 1964; what a hard opening for the sopranos - such a haunting theme, which is then reworked and harmonised
in an increasingly complex manner leading to a huge climax. This piece alone is sure testimony to the abilities of this
choir and its director. A fine disc, warmly recommended”.
In aid of The Samaritans (Meridian), launched at our concert on 8th December 2001, featured on
ClassicFM and selected by Iain Burnside on BBC Radio 3's CD Review
Meridian Records CDE 84463 Recorded by John Shuttleworth Producer: Gary Skyrme
The Truth from Above Gabriel’s Message Sussex Carol Bethlehem Down In Dulci Jubilo The Shepherds' Farewell Angelus ad Virginem In the Bleak Midwinter Coventry Carol Silent Night Welcome Yule Away in a Manger Ding Dong! Merrily on High Quem Pastores O Magnum Mysterium Tomorrow shall be my Dancing Day Here is the Little Door Es ist ein Ros Deck the Hall Lullaby my Jesus The Three Kings Noêl Nouvelet Jesus Christ the Apple Tree Jingle Bells
Iain Burnside, on BBC Radio 3's "CD Review", said:
"...Better by far to save your pennies for a Carol recording with some real Xmas Spirit - a disc by the chamber choir Canticum and their conductor Mark Forkgen. I’m happy to give it the big thumbs up not just because of the polish and refinement of the singing, but because all its profits will go to a branch of the Samaritans.
...And surely even Ebeneezer Scrooge himself would be touched by something in the course of these 24 generous tracks."
Colin Riley Round The Still Earth News! Flight The Warm and the Cold As the Manner is Snow Down Into Leaf Fraser Trainer Mathilde Blind Landscapes Haunted Streets Winter Landscape Red Sunsets Keith Roberts Veni O Sapienta O Adonai O Radix Jesse O Clavis David O Oriens O Rex Gentium O Emmanuel
Warwick Thompson of the Metro wrote:
“Fans of sombre, elegiac and diatonic choral writing, people who like Tavener or Pärt, will find much to enjoy”.
Barry Millington of the Evening Standard wrote:
“This is an impressive disc”.
Extracts are copyright Meridian Records and are used with thanks.
