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“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
Alec Roth: Unborn: A Processional Introit
Unborn: A Processional Introit
Traditional: Wexford Carol
Wexford Carol
Benjamin Britten: A Boy was Born, Op. 3
A Boy was Born, Op. 3: Variation 5: In the Bleak Mid-winter
John Gardner: The Holy and the Ivy
The Holy and the Ivy
John Joubert: The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows: Joy in the morning
John Gardner: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
Harold Darke: In the Bleak Mid-Winter
In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Naji Hakim: 3 Noels
3 Noels: Noel
Kenneth Leighton: A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol
Tomas Pascual: Joy es dia de placer y de cantar!
Joy es dia de placer y de cantar!
Felix Mendelssohn: Elijah, Op. 70
Elijah, Op. 70: Wirf dein Anliegen auf den Herrn (For He shall give His Angels)
Giovanni Gabrieli: O Magnum Mysterium
O Magnum Mysterium
Felix Mendelssohn: Christus, Op. 97
When Jesus, our Lord, was born
There shall be a star of morning gleams
Benjamin Britten: A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: This little Babe
Alec Roth: The Traveller
The Traveller, Epilogue: Child of son
Traditional: O horo eeree caidil gu Lo
O horo eeree caidil gu Lo
Franz Xaver Gruber: Silent Night (Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht)
Silent Night (Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht)
Martin Bates: 3 Songs for Christmas
No. 1. He comes in the night
No. 2. How will you your Christmas keep?
No. 3. With a merry ding-dong
Traditional: Ole leloila
Ole leloila
Traditional: On Christmas Night, "Sussex Carol" (arr. D. Willcocks)
On Christmas Night, "Sussex Carol"
Traditional: Jubilate
Jubilate
“out of the bran tub comes my favourite Christmas choral disc of 2009 - Joy in the morning, another wide-ranging collection from Jeffrey Skidmore's excellent Birmingham-based choir, Ex Cathedra. There's entertainment aplenty”
“Concentrated thought and artistic conviction inform Jeffrey Skidmore's eclectic repertoire selection for Joy in the morning, twin blessings that govern its compelling cumulative impact... Ex Cathedra's tonal warmth and collective ability to generate evocative atmosphere add to the pleasures of listening.'”
“A highlight for me is a raptly sung "For He shall give his angels", an ineffable anthem drawn from Mendelssohn's Elijah, and the most exciting performance I've heard of John Gardner's " Tomorrow shall be my dancing day".”
Birmingham Post
“an exhilarating mix of Christmas music from all periods and countries.”
“The standard both of singing and playing is absolutely first rate throughout the programme. Factor in excellent recorded sound and documentation and you have a most enjoyable and enterprising Christmas offering from Ex Cathedra. The Christmas CD market is overflowing but this issue has a very strong claim indeed on the attention of collectors”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Unborn: A Processional Introit
