Wade: O come, all ye faithful (Adeste Fideles)

The fourth volume in “The Flagstad Recitals” comprises two LPs Kirsten Flagstad made with the London Philharmonic and Sir Adrian Boult in December 1956 (Bach and Handel: CD2) and April 1957 (Sacred Songs: CD1) at London’s Kingsway Hall. The Penguin Guide to bargain Compact Discs praised the ‘sacred pops’ CD for the ‘vivid projection’ of Flagstad’s voice and singled out the ‘great majesty and weight’ of her voice. As with the sacred songs, the Bach and Handel items have a devotional aura of their own and this anthology is also unique for the first stereo publication of Bach’s aria ‘Sheep may safely graze’ and the first-ever publication of ‘Art thou troubled’ from Handel’s Rodelinda.

Some of the songs featured on ‘Great Sacred Songs’ made their way onto a 45rpm EP which was entitled “Songs for Sunday” – from which derives the title of this compilation. Flagstad’s own religious beliefs remain unexpressed in The Flagstad Manuscript – there are no pronouncements about morality per se or about the immortality of the soul. How she lived her life speaks for itself, however, and so do the performances on this CD: songs not just for Sunday for but every day.

Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Celebrates The 80th Anniversary Broadcast of Its Christmas Eve Service and The 800th Anniversary Of Cambridge University.

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. The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, is conducted by its Director of Music, Stephen Cleobury.

The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, founded in the 15th century, has been described as “a crowning glory of our civilisation.” It is famous the world over for its quintessentially English sound and, in particular, for its iconic Christmas Eve service, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, introduced in 1918 as a more imaginative approach to worship. The choice of carols varies each year. Held in King’s College Chapel and broadcast by the BBC since 1928 (with the exception of 1930), the service is currently broadcast internationally. Thus, every year, millions of listeners around the world, from adventurers at the foot of Everest and the middle of desert to families making their own Christmas preparations at home, are able to share the traditional English Christmas Eve service with those seated in the pews at King’s College Chapel.

When Stephen Cleobury became Director of Music at King’s in 1982, he added a “new” tradition to the service. Eager to embrace contemporary music and incorporate it into the existing format, Cleobury began commissioning a new carol each year for inclusion in the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The 2008 programme includes Illuminare Jerusalem by Judith Weir (1985), What sweeter music by John Rutter (1987) and Mary, commissioned from Dominic Muldowney for the 2008 service.

Another “new” composer represented in the 2008 service is Peter Tranchell (1922-1993), former University of Cambridge lecturer in Music, whose contribution is If ye would hear the angels sing. The other carols are traditional, some well known (O come, all ye faithful; God rest ye merry, gentlemen; Hark! The herald-angels sing), others less so (Angels from the realms of glory; Infant holy, Infant lowly; A spotless rose).

The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge consists of sixteen choristers and fourteen choral scholars. It was founded in response to King Henry VI’s desire for daily sung services in his magnificent chapel and this remains its primary purpose. Its international reputation, established by the radio broadcast of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, has been consolidated by regular international tours and by the critical and commercial success of its EMI Classics releases.

“King’s College, Cambridge, is a byword for the very best in Christmas music”. BBC Music Magazine

“I would happily sit in King’s College Chapel listening to this choir sing for the rest of my days.” The Times

A varied programme of Christmas music, including familiar and some unfamiliar items, recorded in the largest mediaeval church in Northern Europe with its spectacular acoustic.

First recordings of new carols by Richard Shephard and John Scott Whiteley.

Robert Sharpe’s first recording with the Minster Choir since taking up the appointment of Director of Music at the Minster in September 2008.

No living composer has come to be more closely associated with Christmas than John Rutter: for more than thirty years, his carols and other seasonal choral music have been an indispensable feature of Christmas celebrations worldwide. Inspired by the success of his much-loved annual Christmas concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, this major new recording, for release in November 2008, features première recordings of over a dozen brand new compositions and arrangements for Christmas by John Rutter, together with his own personal selection of seasonal choral and orchestral favourites by other composers. Recorded in the splendid setting of London’s Cadogan Hall, this is the first all-new Christmas release from Rutter’s celebrated Cambridge Singers for 20 years, and the first ever to feature the glorious sound of full symphony orchestra and organ.

Marc Hervieux is one of the most sought after Canadian vocalists, both nationally and internationally. His intention here is to return to the Christmases of his childhood and he wanted to be accompanied by a choir and excellent musicians. His selection includes some well known and some not so familiar Christmas works.