Victoria: O magnum mysterium, motet

This release presents several polyphonic motets from the Renaissance and Baroque periods in which the joy of Christmas Eve is gloriously portrayed. The Hamrahlid choir was founded in 1967, performing and touring extensively in Europe and of course, in the Choir’s home territory of Iceland.

The ensemble La Tricotea combines baroque oboe, baroque bassoon and percussion with alto and soprano saxophones for the performance of early music. This is their first CD and is divided into four songbooks, each representing as musical era or genre. They include works written from the 13th to the 16th century.

International award-winning octet Voces8 has established itself as the foremost young British a cappella vocal group. Performing a repertoire ranging from Renaissance polyphony to unique jazz and pop arrangements, the group has been praised for stunning performance, exquisite singing and creating a sound that spans the entire range of vocal colour. ‘A Choral Tapestry’ explores the rich vocal timbres of sacred vocal music spanning five centuries. Interweaving genres create an ethereal sonic tapestry that centres around the haunting beauty of William Byrd's Mass for Four Voices. The programme includes anthems and motets from the English Chapel Royal, the Sistine Chapel in Rome and St. Thomas' Church, Leipzig

Dame Felicity Lott and the Joyful Company of Singers serve up rich Christmas fayre with 'Plum Pudding', well-spiced with favourite carols and readings by actor Gabriel Woolf.

Re-issued on Champs Hill Records due to popular demand, the CD was originally recorded in the Music Room at Champs Hill. Opening with Vaughan Williamsʼ arrangement of a medieval Wassail and interspersed with music ranging from Byrd to Barber, the CD is an intimate, welcoming collection, full of the joys of Christmas.