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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Nine Lessons & Carols: King's College Cambridge
Bach, J S: | In dulci jubilo (voluntary) | Davies, T: | Christmas Eve | Dean, B: | Now comes the dawn | Gauntlett: | Once in Royal David's city | Goldschmidt, O: | A tender shoot has started | Hurford: | Sunny bank | Jackson, Gabriel: | The Christ-child | Mendelssohn: | Hark! the herald angels sing | Muldowney: | Mary ('The night when she first gave birth') | Ord: | Adam lay y-bounden | Praetorius, M: | Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen arr. Jan Sandström | Rautavaara: | Christmas Carol | Reger: | Wiegenlied, Op. 79d, 1 | Rutter: | All bells in paradise | trad.: | Herefordshire Carol arr. Vaughan Williams In Dulci Jubilo arr. Robert Lucas de Pearsall A Virgin most pure arr. Stephen Cleobury Sussex Carol arr. Philip Ledger God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen The Holly and the Ivy arr. June Nixon While Shepherds Watched Ding dong! merrily on high arr. Mack Wilberg | Tranchell: | If ye would hear the angels sing | Turnage: | Misere’ nobis | Villette: | Hymne à la Vierge, Op. 24 | Wade: | O come, all ye faithful | Weir: | Illuminare, Jerusalem |
With a TV and radio audience of millions, the annual broadcast of carols from King’s College, Cambridge is an essential Christmas tradition for families all over the world. The debut album from the choir’s own label features a specially recorded performance of their glorious 'Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols', and includes many of the most well-known Christmas carols as well as new commissions from some of today’s most popular composers. The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge is one of the world’s foremost choirs and unquestionably among the most widely heard. It owes its existence to King Henry VI, who envisaged the daily singing of services in his magnificent chapel. This remains the Choir’s raison d’être, and is an important part of the lives of its 16 choristers, who are educated at King’s College School, and the 14 choral scholars and two organ scholars, who study a variety of subjects in the College. The Choir has been a breeding ground for numerous professional singers, many of whom will appear on forthcoming recordings from the new label. The Choir has a rich recording heritage, having appeared on many albums for both Decca and EMI Classics. The Choir’s recording of Rutter’s 'Gloria' has sold in excess of 100,000 units globally and its previous albums of Christmas music have sold in millions. This double album faithfully recreates the magic of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, opening with a lone treble singing 'Once in royal David’s city' and closing with a rousing chorus of 'Hark! the herald angels sing'. Each year, the Choir’s Director of Music Stephen Cleobury commissions a new carol, several of which are included on the album, including carols by Einojuhani Rautavaara, Gabriel Jackson, Brett Dean, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Dominic Muldowney and Tansy Davies. In addition, John Rutter was commissioned to write the new carol 'All bells in paradise' especially for this album. “[All bells in paradise is] vintage Rutter: an instantly likable melody supported by comforting mulled wine and mince pie harmony. It's sure to be a favourite with choirs up and down the country for many Christmases to come.” The Observer, 28th October 2012 “Perhaps the lower voices aren't quite as smoothly blended here as they usually are at King's, but generally the level of achievement reached in these live performances is enviable.” BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2012 **** “The recording is full and warm, unmistakably that of King’s College Chapel. If anything is to melt my inner-Scrooge and promote a festive atmosphere, this two-disc release is probably it.” International Record Review, December 2012 “The service’s format appears set in stone, but Stephen Cleobury, the college’s long-serving director of music, isn’t resolutely stuck in the past. Not every newly commissioned carol lifts the spirit, but Dominic Muldowney’s Mary is eloquent; so, in its melodious way, is John Rutter’s new offering” The Times, 14th December 2012 *** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Lessons: Genesis 3: God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life serpent’s head. Genesis 22: God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Isaiah 9: The prophet foretells the coming of the Saviour. Isaiah 11: The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown. Luke 1: The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary. Luke 2: St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. Luke 2: The shepherds go to the manger. Matthew 2: The wise men are led by the star to Jesus. John 1: St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
The 2008 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, recorded live by BBC Radio 3 in "the magnificent recording studio that is King’s College Chapel.” The service marked the 80th anniversary of its first BBC broadcast and the start of a year-long celebration of the 800th anniversary of Cambridge University. “…what's specially striking is the intimacy of these performances, the choir under Stephen Cleobury excelling in the difficult art of dynamic restraint and truly gentle singing. Vaughan Williams's 'Wither's Rocking Hymn' is a fine example, and includes some lovely solos.” BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2009 ***** “Judith Weir’s thrilling Illuminare Jerusalem is the most welcome novelty here, virtuosically sung.” Sunday Times, 20th December 2009 *** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | On Christmas DayNew Carols from King's
Adès: | The Fayrfax Carol | Bennett, R R: | On Christmas Day | Berkeley, L: | In wintertime | Bingham, J: | God would be born | Birtwistle: | The Gleam | Burrell, D: | Christo Paremus | Casken: | A gathering | Chilcott: | Shepherd's Carol | Dove: | The three Kings | Goehr: | Carol for St Steven | Harvey, R: | The Angels | Holloway, R: | Christmas Carol | MacMillan: | Siente Mari | Maw, N: | Swete Jesu | Maxwell, M: | One star at last | Pärt: | Bogoróditse Djévo | Paulus: | Pilgrim Jesus | Rutter: | What sweeter music | Sculthorpe: | The birthday | Swayne: | Winter Solstice Carol, Op. 79 | Weir: | Illuminare, Jerusalem |
“King's' CD of new carols is the one unmissable Christmas release” BBC Music Magazine, December 2005 “…this outstanding issue celebrates 20 years of carols newly commissioned for the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The two CDs are stuffed with memorable settings - Jonathan Dove's superb, multilayered 'The Three Kings', Judith Weir's dramatically angular 'Illuminare, Jerusalem', the intricate sound-tapestry of Birtwistle's extraordinary 'The Gleam'.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2005 ***** “…catch while you can this rich sampling of the new carols commissioned and performed by the Choir of King's College, including gems by Jonathan Harvey, Judith Weir and Giles Swayne. Even the Birtwistle - with its stratosphere-reaching harmonies, and use of a wild shout and stamp - is sound with a fresh enthusiasm.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2007  BBC Music Magazine
Christmas Special Choice - December 2005 |
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| |  | Joy to the WorldA selection from The Novello Book of Carols
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| |  | Judith Weir: Choral Musicrecorded in the presence of the composer
Matthew Fletcher and Annie Lydford (organ) Choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, Geoffrey Webber (director) In the first recording devoted entirely to Judith Weir’s choral music, the Choir of Gonville & Caius explores her evolving relationship with the medium, from her earliest liturgical commission to the most recent, which was premiered in 2009. Also included in this comprehensive collection are several secular pieces and her two organ works, which are now established classics of the repertoire. The athleticism, intensity and clarity that are hallmarks of the choir’s singing are ideally suited to Weir’s strikingly original, approachable and fascinating music. “The Choir of Gonville and Caius College is particularly good, and this recital, containing Weir’s entire corpus for unaccompanied choir or for choir accompanied by single instrument, only enhances its reputation. Weir embeds herself deeply within every text she sets, and she chooses carefully” Sunday Times, 28th August 2011 “ This impeccably performed disc by the Choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge conducted by Geoffrey Webber displays [Weir's] gifts to best advantage...From the dense chords of "Prayer" to the elliptical effects of "Ascending into Heaven" and the folk colours of "Madrigal", composer and choir alike excel.” The Observer, 28th August 2011 “Every syllable of the text is distinct in these performances, and the textures never waste a note. It's a beautifully crafted body of work, a model of choral understatement that other contemporary British choral composers could well learn from.” The Guardian, 6th October 2011 *** “The freshness and precision of Weir's writing is perfectly matched by the well tuned, clearly articulated singing of Geoffrey Webber's Gonville & Caius Choir...Nearby Jesus College Chapel provides an ideal acoustic for the beautifully judged recording, and its Kuhn organ offers Matthew Fletcher some pellucid colours for two modest, effective solo organ pieces inspired by Weir's native Scotland. Highly recommended.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2011 ***** “As several of the items on this disc illustrate, Judith Weir has always been well able to conform to the conventions of, say, the King's College Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols without losing all sense of identity and purpose in the process...The undeniable advantage is provided by the new (2007) Jesus College organ, whose rumbling basses and raw, reedy tone colours are ideal for Wild Mossy Mountains and Ettrick Banks.” Gramophone Magazine, December 2011 BBC Music Magazine Choral & Song Choice - December 2011 |
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| |  | Great Cathedral Anthems Vol. 5
“Priory's recording engineers and Truro Cathedral seem to be made for each other. This is yet another example of the way in which the building's fine acoustics and its atmosphere can be captured on disc."” Organists Review | | | Usually despatched in 8 - 10 working days. |
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| |  | A Spotless Rose
John Robinson (organ, Crypt Choir of the King’s School, Canterbury) Crypt Choir of The King’s School, Canterbury, Howard Ionascu (director) The King’s School has its roots in the sixth century and its pupils live and work within the inspirational and ancient Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral and the grounds of St Augustine’s Abbey. Music has played a central role in the school’s life from its monastic foundations. The Crypt Choir, under the direction of Howard Ionascu, is the school’s senior choir. Its primary purpose is to provide music for weekly School services in Canterbury Cathedral, where the King’s School is part of the Foundation. The choir also performs at outside venues, most recently St Paul’s, Knightsbridge, The Temple Church, St John’s, Smith Square and Westminster Abbey. It has toured extensively, including a number of European countries, New York, Boston, New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong. The Choir reached the final stage of the 2005 BBC Choir of the Year at the Lowry Centre in Salford. In July of that year the Choir was invited to perform Tallis’ Spem in alium alongside The Sixteen and Harry Christophers in Canterbury Cathedral. The Choir has been particularly active in performing contemporary music. It has performed in the Sounds New Festivals, featuring works by James Macmillan, Paul Patterson and Gabriel Jackson. In December 2005 it gave the first performance of a commission by Howard Goodall, Of the dark past, in Canterbury Cathedral. | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Noël Nouvelet
Noel Nouvelet is a typically vibrant Vasari mix of traditional carols and exciting arrangements of familiar tunes, reflecting the choir’s ongoing desire to dress up the traditional in new clothes, to blend tradition with innovation. So, for example, alongside Kenneth Leighton's beautiful Coventry Carol, Naji Hakim’s exuberant version of Ding dong! Merrily on high and Morten Lauridsen’s powerful O magnum mysterium sits Ward Swingle’s arrangement of Mel Tormé's Christmas Song, Jonathan Rathbone's sumptuous arrangement of Silent Night and Nigel Short's equally lush adaptation of Away in a manger. The CD also includes several world premiere recordings, including Love came down at Christmas by Humphrey Clucas and Andrew Carter's firmly tongue-in-cheek showpiece arrangement of The Twelve Days of Christmas. “The singing certainly has the freshness and clarity that one associates with this fine choir and unique elements are provided by such tracks as Naji Hakim’s virtuosic arrangement of Ding Dong! Merrily on High...The stylistic breadth of the Vasari Singers is dazzlingly demonstrated on this recording...A very fine disc. Essential listening.” Church Music Quarterly, 23rd December 2008 “There are few traditional carols here, but my attention was fully held throughout – not least because of the superb singing...I was consistently impressed by the sheer quality of their artistry here – intonation, phrasing and enunciation are all of an exceptional standard...This is a fabulous CD, brilliantly recorded.” International Record Review, December 2007 “musical standards in terms of both the music and the performance are extremely high...performances [are] committed and sensitive without any of the self-conscious exactitude to which some choirs are prone, and a clear but atmospheric recording” MusicWeb International, 28th November 2007 “this disc, as well as housing five world premiere CD recordings, boasts a fine collection of arrangements and unusual interpretations of familiar numbers.The whole is conducted thoughtfully by Jeremy Backhouse, while Jeremy Filsell accompanies clearly and responsibly on the organ.” musicOHM, 13th November 2007 “the joy and vigour with which they sing and the innovativeness of these arrangement make this a welcome addition to any Christmas CD list.” Muso Magazine, December 2007 | | | Usually despatched in 8 - 10 working days. |
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| |  | Christmas with Winchester College Chapel Choir
anon.: | The First Noel | Bach, J S: | Sinfonia from Cantata BWV42 Mass in G major, BWV236 Kyrie Herr, der du stark and mächtig bist from Cantata, BWV 10 Cantata BWV147 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben': Jesu, bleibet meine Freude | Bennett, R R: | Out of your sleep | Corelli: | Concerto grosso Op. 6 No. 8 in G minor 'fatto per la notte di Natale' | Handel: | Concerto grosso, Op. 6 No. 2 in F major, HWV320 Messiah: excerpts | Mason, L: | Joy to the World | Praetorius, M: | Come, thou Redeemer of the earth | Tavener: | The Lamb | Wade: | O come, all ye faithful arr. Willcocks | Weir: | Illuminare, Jerusalem |
Sung texts included | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | One Star, At LastA selection of carols of our time
Adès: | The Fayrfax Carol | Belmont: | Nativitas | Bennett, R R: | Carol premiere recording / BBC commission | Bingham, J: | The Shepherd's Gift premiere recording / BBC commission | Davies, Maxwell: | One star, at last | Goodall, H: | Romance of the Angels premiere recording / BBC commission | Grier, F: | Corpus Christi Carol | Harbison: | O Magnum Mysterium premiere recording | Harle: | Mrs Beeton's Christmas Plum Pudding (average cost: 3 shillings and 6d) premiere recording / BBC commission | Holten: | Nowell Sing We premiere recording / BBC commission | Korniwicz: | Oczekiwanie (Waiting) premiere recording / BBC commission | MacMillan: | Seinte Mari Moder Milde premiere recording | Martland: | Three Carols premiere recording | Panufnik, R: | Sleep, little Jesus, sleep | Rütti: | I wonder as I wander (version for choir and organ) premiere recording | Susa: | The Shepherds Sing | Tavener: | Today the Virgin | Weir: | Illuminare, Jerusalem |
"excellent performances and the organ contributions by Robert Quinney are all splendid … Enthusiastically recommended ..." Musicweb | | | Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days. |
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