Leighton: A Christmas Carol, Op. 21

“The best choir of its kind in Britain? Very possibly…” (Michael White)

For their second release on Orchid Classics, Ex Cathedra present a brand new recording of Christmas repertoire based upon their highly successful “Christmas by Candlelight” Concert series.

Christmas has always been a special time for Ex Cathedra and their roots are firmly established in the wonderful repertoire associated with this joyful time of year. This is the first recording which features both the Choir, Consort, and their Academy of Vocal Music.

Featuring compositions and/or arrangements by Alec Roth, Benjamin Britten, John Gardner, John Joubert, Harold Darke, Naji hakim, Kenneth Leighton, Tomas Pascual, Felix Mendelssohn, Giovanni Gabrielli, Franz Xavier Gruber, Martin Bates, David Willcocks and Jeffrey Skidmore. The booklet contains full texts.

From its home in Birmingham, Ex Cathedra has established an international reputation as a leading UK choir and Early Music ensemble. Under founder and Artistic Director Jeffrey Skidmore, Ex Cathedra is known for its vibrant performances and a passion for seeking out not only the best but the unfamiliar and the unexpected in the choral repertoire. Ex Cathedra celebrate their 40th Anniversary in 2009 and this will be highlighted in articles about them and interviews with Jeffrey Skidmore, in the music press

The first of this month’s ‘double bill’ from Westminster presents a delightful and unusual selection of music for Christmas from the Abbey Choir. It encompasses all the diverse themes of Christmas which have inspired composers across the ages: light shining in darkness; the tenderness of mother and child; the fulfilment of promise; and the warm merriment of corporate celebration.

An excellent selection of contemporary carols features the composers Jonathan Dove and Bob Chilcott among others. The richness of twentieth-century church music is illustrated in works by Poulenc, Walton, Mathias and Leighton, and by the heartbreakingly lovely piece The little road to Bethlehem by Michael Head. Skilful arrangements of the traditional carols Silent night, In dulci jubilo and I saw three ships, complete this attractive seasonal release.