A Review of Recent Christmas Records

The Christmas season is often enriched by new, exciting recordings. Last year, we recommended several of the finest albums released over the past 25 years (CT, Dec. 12, 1980). We believe a number of additional fine recordings issued last year will also enhance your enjoyment and celebration of Christmas as they have ours. All of these, priced from $6.98 to $9.98 (except for some digital recordings), should be available through knowledgeable, major record shops.

• The Spirit of Christmas, John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis, conductor; Philips 9500-779. Peter Hope’s tasteful, exciting arrangements have created a spectacular “picture in sound of the Christmas Festival.” The 18 well-loved Christmas hymns and carols, 12 for orchestra alone, are divided into two extended semi-suites. The moods range from the stunning “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” and the driving “Patapan” to the tender setting of Kirkpatrick’s “Away in a Manger” and the splendid “Good King Wenceslaus.”

• Christmas from Clare, Clare College Choir and Orchestra, Cambridge, John Rutter, conductor; Argo ARB-914. John Rutter has done it again. These 20 arrangements and original compositions exhibit the same marvelous sounds of previous recordings, demonstrating why he probably is the single most influential force in new Christmas music today. Special favorites in our household are the tender “Mary’s Lullaby,” an original composition he wrote for his bride, a joyous setting of a rarely heard English tune for “I Saw Three Ships,” and the hauntingly beautiful “Wexford Carol.”

• Christmas Fanfare, Bach Choir, Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, Sir David Willcocks, conductor; London digital LDR-10028. From the glorious opening brass and organ fanfare on “O Come, All Ye Faithful” to the concluding one on “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” the sound and performances of these 16 selections are truly spectacular. This is the second album drawn from the repertoire of the Bach Choir Family Carol Concerts given annually at Royal Albert Hall in London. The choir’s impeccable diction, precise intonation, and musical articulation are especially impressive in “Ding, Dong Merrily on High.” A special delight is “Once in Royal David’s City,” and Rutter’s “Star Carol” is most exciting.

• Christmas with the King’s Singers; MMG-1126. This six-voice male ensemble is probably the world’s finest chamber vocal ensemble. Originally from King’s College, Cambridge, their live performances have amazed audiences around the world. They possess extraordinary range, unmatched versatility, incredible virtuosity, and a sonority equal to that of many groups 10 times their number—all without special electronic effects. Although the 16 selections here are mostly a cappella, you are never conscious that an orchestra is lacking. Whether the tasteful vocal effects of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” or the exciting cross-rhythms of “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen,” this very original album will add a new dimension to your Christmas listening. An earlier album, Deck the Hall: Songs for Christmas (MMG-1108), is still available. Although perhaps of greater interest to those interested in historical materials, several familiar Christmas hymns and folk songs are also included.

• Do You Hear What I Hear, Jay Welch Chorale, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Jay Welch, conductor; Varese Sarabande digital VCDM-1000.70. This album is particularly remarkable for its depth of sound and dynamic range. The 300-voice choir does well with the light, a cappella pieces that constitute half of the 15 selections, as well as with the spectacular ones that approach the sound barrier. The material ranges from the title song to “For Unto Us” from Messiah, and four of the too-seldom heard Alfred Burt carols. Most arrangements were written by Welch; outstanding is the stunning setting of “We Three Kings,” with its broad touches of the Orientalism of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherezade. It alone is worth the price of the album.

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