[ Delphian / CD ]
Release Date: Friday 20 October 2017
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The Choir of Merton College joins forces with the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra for a recording of director Benjamin Nicholas's favourite popular carols. Two of John Rutter's most exquisite works are complemented by orchestral versions of wellloved traditional fare. From the ecstatic brass fanfares that introduce O come, all ye faithful and Hark! the herald angels sing to the intimate performances of Elizabeth Poston's beautiful Jesus Christ the apple tree and Morten
Lauridsen's O magnum mysterium, Christmas old and new is celebrated with a fresh sense of all its magic and glory. The choir and orchestra loved making this recording, and it shows.
Just nine years since it was established, the Choir of Merton College has earned a reputation as one of Oxford's leading mixed-voice choirs. In addition to its regular services, the choir often appears in London, at St John's Smith Square
and Cadogan Hall, and makes frequent broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. This is its sixth recording on Delphian and the first with orchestra.
1. All bells in paradise (John Rutter) [4:59]
2. Shepherd's Pipe Carol (John Rutter) [2:52]
3. Jesus Christ the apple tree (Elizabeth Poston)[3:20]
4. Hark! the herald-angels sing (Mendelssohn,
arr. David Willcocks) [3:28]
5. The Shepherds' Farewell (Hector Berlioz) [4:50]
6. Unto us is born a son (traditional, arr.
David Willcocks) [2:17]
7. In the bleak mid-winter (Harold Darke) [4:25]
8. The Shepherd's Carol (Bob Chilcott) [3:32]
9. I sing of a maiden (Patrick Hadley) [2:25]
10. Silent night (Gruber, arr. John Rutter) [3:20]
11. O holy night (Adam, arr. John Rutter) [5:20]
12. It came upon the midnight clear (traditional
English, arr. Arthur Sullivan) [2:53]
13. The Bird of Dawning* (Bob Chilcott) [3:22]
14. Away in a manger (W. J. Kirkpatrick, arr.
David Willcocks) [2:27]
15. In dulci jubilo (traditional. German, arr.
Robert Lucas de Pearsall) [3:13]
16. What child is this? (Thomas Hewitt Jones) [4:21]
17. O come, all ye faithful
(J. F. Wade, arr. David Willcocks) [4:59]
18. O magnum mysterium (Morten Lauridsen) [6:06]