anon.: Angelus ad virginem

Every year on Advent Sunday St Paul’s Cathedral in London holds an Advent Carol Service. This recording captures the mood and structure of this event, presenting a selection of the music which might be performed in its liturgical order.

The Church’s preparation for the coming of Christ begins in contemplative mood with the plainchant processional Laudes Regiae and the famous Mattins Responsory (‘I look from afar … ’). The wealth of music that follows is typical of the approach of this choir: traditional favourites such as Hosanna to the Son of David and the Parsons Ave Maria rest alongside contemporary works from composers such as John Rutter, Richard Lloyd and Philip Wilby. This album—and the hypothetical service—comes to an end with a joyous arrangement of the great hymn O come, O come, Emmanuel; an organ toccata on the same theme by Andrew Carter acts as the voluntary.

This unique collection of works brings two major names together on one CD. Helena Ek’s artistic activities include television and radio and has recorded several CDs with Sony and Virgin Classics. Göran Månsson is widely respected as one of Sweden’s most dynamic folk pipes players and has recorded CDs for BIS, Sony and Universal.

A festive celebration of Christmas featuring music from 12th to 17th century Europe, played by the UK's leading early brass ensemble and friends, including virginals, bagpipes, drums, recorders, singers, and a Rommel-pot.

The eccentric Percy Grainger was well-known for his musical arrangements which ranged from works by other composers as well as arrangements of his own original and folk music settings. These arrangements form a body of

work which is perhaps unique in musical history.

Most of the works on this CD are taken from a series Grainger named Chosen Gems for Winds. Grainger had a musical mind of unusual breadth and vision, with interests spanning the ages from mediaeval music to the latest twentieth century developments and had the vision to see this context of the wind orchestra setting. It is likely that enlisting in the American Army as a bandsman at the outbreak of World War I, cemented his interest in wind band music, along with an awareness of Stokowski’s Bach transcriptions.