SACDs - Leighton

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On Christmas Night

On Christmas Night

Carols from St John’s College, Cambridge


Bennett, R R:

Out of your sleep

Burton, J:

Balulalow

Darke:

In the Bleak Midwinter

Finnissy:

Telling

Flecha I:

Riu, riu chiu

Gruber, F:

Silent Night

arr. Ledger

Joubert:

There Is No Rose

Ledger:

On Christmas night

Leighton:

Lully, lulla ('Coventry Carol'), Op. 25b

Martin, M:

Adam lay ybounden

Mathias:

A babe is born

Mendelssohn:

Hark! the herald angels sing

arr. Robinson (last verse)

Poston:

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

Robinson, C:

Make we joy

Rutter:

What sweeter music

Tavener:

The Lamb

trad.:

Noël nouvelet

Trad. French, arr. Jackson

Ding dong! merrily on high

Trad. French, arr. Wilberg

I saw three ships

Trad. English, arr. Marshall

Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day

Trad. English, arr. Willcocks

Es ist ein Ros'

Trad. German, arr. Praetorius (verse 1) and Cashmore

Vaughan Williams:

Little town of Bethlehem (Forest Green)

descant in last verse

Wade:

O come, all ye faithful

arr. Willcocks

Warlock:

Benedicamus Domino


In the run-up to Advent and Christmas, the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge under Andrew Nethsingha presents a joyous celebration of music for the festive season. The disc includes original works by John Rutter, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Elizabeth Poston, and Kenneth Leighton. These are complemented by arrangements of popular songs, and a selection of congregational hymns, all displaying strong ties to the Advent and Christmas seasons.

This disc was recorded in the College Chapel in full surround-sound, which means that it not only sounds spectacular, but recreates to a spectacular degree the experience of listening to the Choir perform in the Chapel.

The Choir of St John’s College, established in the 1670s, is today one of the finest college choirs in the world, known and loved by millions for its recordings, broadcasts, and concert tours.

“The collective vocal heft of the ensemble's young choral scholars remains a potent weapon under Andrew Nethsinga's direction. He's a man of musical refinement, however, one ready and able to rein in eager tenors and basses where the melodic interest lies in the gift of his choir's boy trebles...This release stands out thanks to the commitment to quality and high artistic values shown here by St John's College Choir and Chandos.” Classic FM Magazine, Februrary 2012 *****

“This is a warming disc, eloquently sung by the choir of St John’s. There are some core Christmas hymns, but the bulk of the 24-track programme comprises some of the modern classics of the repertoire such as Elizabeth Poston’s Jesus Christ the Apple Tree and Joubert’s There is No Rose.” The Telegraph, 9th December 2011

Super Audio CD

Format:

Hybrid Multi-channel

Chandos - CHSA5096

(SACD)

$16.75

(also available to download from $10.50)

Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.)

James Gilchrist sings Leighton & Britten

James Gilchrist sings Leighton & Britten


Britten:

Winter Words, Op. 52

Leighton:

Earth, Sweet Earth


James Gilchrist (tenor) & Anna Tilbrook (piano)

“Gilchrist's bright, ringing tenor voice is compelling from the first note, but it's the range of expression and unaffected musicality that leave the lasting impression.” BBC Music

“As an interpreter of English song, Gilchrist is often in a class by himself.” The Times

Tenor James Gilchrist adds to his widely acclaimed series of albums celebrating British song with this programme by Kenneth Leighton and Benjamin Britten. Alongside pianist Anna Tilbrook, Gilchrist excels in a programme that includes the first modern recording of Leighton’s Earth, Sweet Earth and Britten’s popular and touching song cycle Winter Words.

Leighton’s Earth, Sweet Earth was commissioned in memory of Peter Pears – tenor and life-long partner of Benjamin Britten. This is the first modern recording of this work since the original recording by Neil Mackie for whom the work was written.

Earth, Sweet Earth requires astonishing virtuosity from both vocalist and pianist; the piano taking on an almost orchestral role in settings of text by Ruskin and Hopkins.

Britten wrote Winter Words for Peter Pears. Set to eight poems by Thomas Hardy, this is the composer’s most popular song set. James Gilchrist emotively conveys one of Britten’s favourite themes: the conflict between innocence and experience.

Gilchrist has established a reputation as the leading figure in English song interpretation following countless concert performances of works by Vaughan Williams, Britten, Purcell, Finzi, Warlock and Leighton.

James Gilchrist is in demand as a recitalist and chorus member and is a regular voice on BBC Radio 3 and a popular performer at the BBC Proms and UK festivals.

Pianist Anna Tilbrook (“An eloquent partner.” Daily Telegraph) displays her substantial talents as an accompanist providing flawless support to long-term performing partner James.

“[Earth, Sweet Earth is] a compelling musical span, and makes great demands on both performers; the piano writing in particular is hugely virtuosic, but Tilbrook meets its challenges superbly. Winter Words...is more familiar territory, and Gilchrist and Tilbrook judge its scale perfectly, making every detail of the musical and verbal imagery precise” The Guardian, 23rd September 2010 ***

“vividly nuanced performances by the British tenor and his regular duo partner Anna Tilbrook. Each word is clear, each pianistic colour brought out. Paired, fittingly, with Winter Words by Leighton's contemporary Benjamin Britten, this haunting disc provides a fierce elegy to our lost Eden.” The Observer, 26th September 2010

“Visionary and lyrical” Financial Times, 25th September 2010

“Gilchrist is an impressively rounded advocate. His enunciation is superb, his melodic phrasing is always wonderfully musical; he can be seductive, but at times there's an eloquent astringency not unlike the late Philip Langridge.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2010 *****

“Gilchrist and Tilbrook are an outstandingly accomplished and sensitive modern combination...the Leighton is a great gift.” Gramophone Magazine, January 2011

“Perhaps most impressive of all in this performance is Tilbrook's profoundly sensitive piano playing. She is a perfectly poised partner to Gilchrist's vocal intensity...Gilchrist is sufficiently his own man to put a stamp of individuality on these songs, which doesn't seek to evoke the Pears style yet still sounds totally right for this music.” International Record Review, December 2010

Super Audio CD

Format:

Hybrid Multi-channel

Linn - CKD329

(SACD)

$16.75

Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days.

Composers

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