Holst: In the Bleak Mid-winter (Cranham)

The Emory Symphonic Winds, comprised of members of the Emory Wind Ensemble and the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, are American leaders in the commissioning of new music. Bruce Broughton’s In the World of Spirits was dedicated to the ensemble and is a work of action, dynamism and electric physicality. Christmas carols and hymns are explored by Gustav Holst while Jennifer Higdon charts the intangible beauty of music itself. Alfred Reed’s Russian Christmas Music is a classic of symphonic band writing: rich, colorful and sonorous.

The NOVA Chamber Choir celebrated their 10th anniversary last year and this disc is a celebration of Christmas music both from Norway and England. ‘To Whom we Sing’ is a special collection of traditional music which has been given a new tonal language through collaboration with competent young composers. The Norwegian numbers have been arranged by the English-born composer, Andrew Smith, a resident of Norway, and the English pieces by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, presently living in the USA. A truly poignant disc, sensitvely performed by these talented musicians.

Mardi Brass take a break from their 4-CD series “Something Old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” (3 CDs out on LIR, final volume due out next year) and present their own take on popular Christmas carols, with the dynamic King’s Lynn Festival Chorus, under the baton of Tom Appleton. This recording includes a premiere of “See Christmas All Around us Shine” written by Ed Maxwell, alongside their own quirky and lively arrangements of well-known classics.

Mardi Brass is a versatile and dynamic brass quintet which performs music in a plethora of musical styles spanning six centuries. Since its founding in 1992, the group has performed throughout Britain, thrilling audiences with its blend of music and humour. Performance venues have included London’s Purcell Room and the Edinburgh Fringe; the group has also appeared on BBC1, BBC2, and numerous radio stations.

King’s Lynn Festival Chorus, under the direction of Tom Appleton and assisted by pianist and composer John Byron, is one of the UK’s most talented and dynamic community choirs. As well as being resident choir for the prestigious King’s Lynn Festival, it performs concerts throughout the year to large audiences in King’s Lynn and beyond.

No more communicative, charismatic, or instantly recognizable artist than Bryn Terfel today bestrides the world’s stages. He is the heart and soul of this album’s special assemblage of Welsh and international top talent for a very personal, intimate album of his favourite Christmas carols and songs from around the world and from his native Wales. The guest list for this studio recording is lead by the immortal Bing Crosby – as a tribute to Bing Crosby the legendary singer and actor Bryn has recorded a new duet version of “White Christmas”. Other guests are the tenor Rolando Villazón who joined in for the beautiful Spanish Christmas song “El nacimento”, as well as the brilliant Welsh harpist Catrin Finch. With the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera under Tecwyn Evans and the chorus Cordydd Bryn has secured local Welsh forces for his new project. Bryn has also asked two Welsh singers and songwriters to contribute: Gwarw Edwards sings a duet with Bryn and Caryl Parry Jones has new Christmas songs for Bryn