£10.00 £8.33 Ex vat
The Choir of York Minster
David Pipe organ,
directed by Robert Sharpe
Description
Christmas is arguably no better experienced than in one of England’s great cathedrals, not least at York Minster. Music plays a key role here: the uplifting sound of the choir in joyous repertoire, the grandiose sound of the organ, and the wonderful acoustic all come together to celebrate this season.
In this programme, the choir of York Minster offers up a feast of mostly 20th century and contemporary English music, including the four major carols by Herbert Howells, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ extended Fantasia on Christmas carols, and Richard Shephard’s hilarious new arrangement of Jingle Bells. Of special interest are recent new carols from Matthew Martin, Stephen Jackson, Francis Pott, and Grayston Ives – the first two works commissioned by York Minster and receiving their first recording here.
Track List
Ding! dong! merrily on high – 16th century French, arr Mack Wilberg
2:40 Nativity carol – John Rutter
4:10Three carol-anthems – Herbert Howells
Here is the little door
3:13 A spotless Rose
2:56 Sing lullaby
3:05Nowell sing we – Matthew Martin
2:45 What sweeter music – Rutter
3:59 Balulalow – Francis Pott
2:29 Tomorrow shall be my dancing day – English traditional, arr David Willcocks
1:48 Lo, how a rose e’er blooming – Grayston Ives
2:59 All this time – William Walton
1:35 Long, long ago – Howells
4:07 Adam lay y-bounden – Howard Skempton
1:31 The Virgin’s Song – Stephen Jackson
2:57 In dulci jubilo – Old German, arr Bob Chilcott
2:06 Silent night – Franz Gruber, arr David Hill
4:03 Lullaby my Jesus – Peter Warlock, trans Andrew Carter
2:55 Jingle bells – James Pierpont, arr Richard Shephard
2:13 Fantasia on Christmas Carols – Ralph Vaughan Williams
11:54Total Playing time: 63:27
Production credits
Recorded in York Minster on 29/30 January and 4/5 February 2015
Recording Producer and engineer: Gary Cole
Assistant engineer: Andy Gammon
Editing: Steve Swinden and Gary Cole
Sample audio extracts
Reviews
The engaging program includes familiar carols, new settings of traditional texts, and a superb performance of the Three Carol-anthems by Herbert Howells. The boys are strong, colorful, and lively; and the justly famous organ sounds magnificent. The arrangement of ‘Jingle Bells’ by Richard Shephard is like none you have ever heard.’ American Record Guide November 2016
‘A York Yuletide showcases the Minster Choir, with David Pipe at the organ, in fine form under their director Robert Sharpe. It maintains the high standards of their splendid An Ebor Epiphany disc, with the trebles sounding warm and direct The choir possesses excellent diction and a clean sound, and the recording offers a well-balanced aural picture..,’ Choir & Organ November 2016
‘The quality of the singing is excellent. The choral tone is consistently assertive without strain or harshness: this remarkable choir gives the impression of complete professionalism, with every singer committed to the meaning and significance of the words and music. This is real virtuoso stuff, in the best sense of the word. Here is nothing superficial: all is sung and played with sincerity and skill and the idiom of each piece is fully captured. Everything is made to sound easy when most of it is difficult. David Pipe accompanies with panache: the wonderful organ and the marvellous acoustic of this building are exploited to the full.’ Organists’ Review March 2016
‘A very nice album – I would put this on my shortlist’ David Mellor ClassicFM New Releases Show 12.12.2015
‘This is an attractive and enjoyable selection of Christmas music from a wide range of composers.’ MusicWeb December 2015
‘the uplifting sound of the choir in joyous repertoire, the grandiose sound of the organ (played here by David Pipe) and the wonderful acoustic all come together to celebrate this season…all sung extremely well by the Choir of York Minster. Those who enjoy a traditional Christmas collection will find enough here to please them and those who are looking for something contemporary will not be disappointed either.’ Crossrhythms December 2015
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