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Sweet was the Song
Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey
Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum,
Carleton Etherington organ
Simon Bell director
Description
Sweet was the Song is a collection of festive repertoire featuring many first recordings of new music from the 21st century.
Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum is the choir of choristers and lay clerks that sings the weekday services of Choral Evensong in the Abbey during school term time. In 2006, Dean Close Preparatory School became the choir school for the choristers of Schola Cantorum, following the closure of the former Abbey School in Tewkesbury. Every year since then, the Dean Close Schools have commissioned a new Christmas carol, all of which have been performed by the Schola Cantorum and the Senior School’s Chapel Choir at their respective carol services. On this album, nine of these commissioned works are featured, forming the backbone of the programme, with first recordings of works by Alexander L’Estrange, Owain Park, Kerensa Briggs, Ben Ponniah, Malcolm Archer, Carleton Etherington, and Neil Cox.
Recorded in the glorious acoustic of Tewkesbury Abbey the recording also features two organ solo pieces from David Bednall and George Baker, played by Carleton Etherington.
Track List
Adam lay ybounden – Philip Stopford
3:06Isaiah’s Prophecy – Alexander L’Estrange
3:21This is the truth sent from above – Trad, arr Ralph Vaughan Williams and Christopher Robinson
2:42The holly and the ivy – French trad, arr June Nixon
3:06Lullay my liking – Owain Park
5:04Susanni – Grayston Ives
6:51Sweet was the song the Virgin sang – Kerensa Briggs
3:29Sussex Carol – Trad, arr Philip Ledger
2:11O little one sweet – Ben Ponniah
3:19As I sat on a sunny bank – Malcolm Archer
2:27Moonless darkness stands between – Philip Wilby
4:26I wonder as I wander – Carl Rütti
1:58Wie schön leuchtet (Meditation) – David Bednall (Organ solo
4:18I sing of a maiden – Carleton Etherington
2:41Ding dong! merrily on high – 16th century French melody, arr Stuart Nicholson
3:05Three are the precious gifts – Neil Cox
5:11Before the paling of the stars – James Lavino
3:18Nowell sing we – Matthew Martin
2:52Toccata-Gigue on the Sussex Carol – George Baker (Organ solo)
5:29Tracks 2,5,6,7,9, 10 11, 16, and 17 commissioned for the choir
Tracks 2,5,7,9,10,14, and 16 First recordings
Total Playing time: 63:53
Production credits
Recorded on 2–3 February and 14 March 2023 in Tewkesbury Abbey
Recording producer and engineer: Gary Cole
Recording assistant: Pippa Cole
Sample audio extracts
Reviews
‘This is an excellent CD. I found the music very rewarding and the performances are excellent. This is indeed a Christmas disc that deserves to stand out from the crowd.’ MusicWeb December 2023
‘There are many choral highlights on a disc sung by a marvellous choir, and a recording that successfully reveals that the 21st century composing landscape is a healthy one, awash with talented musicians.’ Yorkshire Times December 2023
‘Whoever curated this collection of old and new, did an excellent balancing act, blending seamlessly the contrasts between traditional and modern, without shaking the Christmas tree. Highly recommended if you’re looking to hear hitherto unrecorded choral works for this festive season.’ Classical Music Sentinel December 2023
